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Follow UsIndia captain Virat Kohli, who has not been in the best of form. He has not scored an international hundred for the last two years and in the ongoing series against England, Kohli has scored 124 runs at 24.80, which includes a highest score of 55.
Former India batsman WV Raman has urged Kohli to nudge others to give their best instead of trying to lead from the front. "If I was Virat's coach, I would tell him: 'Virat enough of this leading from the front. Just try and nudge the others from behind and get them to do what they can deliver. I'm sure you'll be back at your best in no time," Raman said in a virtual media interaction arranged by Sony Sports.
"He did show shades of his old game and fluency in the last innings. I'm sure he will definitely do well in the next two Test matches," the former India cricketer said.
Raman also compared Kohli's situation to what Sachin Tendulkar went through. "It's similar to how it was with Sachin Tendulkar when he was playing. Even 95 was considered a failure," he said.
About Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who too has not been in the best of form, he said the Mumbai batsman is experienced enough but he just has to work on his approach and method to succeed. "Perhaps you can take a leaf out of the approach of KL Rahul in Nottingham. He was playing very close, coming down the track, looking to leave as much as he wanted to play, which is good batting. He also executed what was expected of him. It also gave confidence to the dressing room that this is something that can be done.
"So perhaps it's a case of each batter working out on an approach that will help him overcome the conditions. Rahane is experienced, has played international cricket and also got runs abroad. It's just that he has to work on his approach and method to succeed," he said.
Asked about the chances of the Indian women's cricket team, which would be touring Australia soon, he said: "I'll tell you what. If there is anybody that can challenge the Aussies or the English girls, it's our girls. I can't see any other team doing that."
Raman, who was the former coach of the women's team, however, felt having not played a day-night Test match before, could hurt the Indian women. "One is the novelty factor because they have not played a Test match with a pink ball. That I think is the novelty factor, and they don't know what to expect in terms of the seam movement or the swing that the pink ball does provide to the bowlers. So, that will be different.
"The other thing is that the Australians are a little bit more aggressive than the English girls, and they do have quick bowlers who can bowl at 125-130 KMPH. So, that is going to be a challenge, and there will be extra bounce. We'll have to see how the Indian team counters it," Raman said.
(With inputs from PTI)