Follow UsFormer New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner has opened up on the 2014 Auckland Test against India, recalling how he managed to “unsettle” Virat Kohli with short deliveries while MS Dhoni appeared largely unfazed.
India were chasing 407 in the first Test of the two-match series at Eden Park. On a flat surface, Shikhar Dhawan (115) and Kohli (67) stitched a 126-run stand for the third wicket, taking India to a strong position at 222/2. However, Wagner’s bouncers disrupted Kohli’s rhythm, leading to his dismissal.
Speaking on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast, Wagner said: "This Test match, I remember the wicket being quite flat, but there was a bit of pace and bounce. Eden Park is quite small on the straight, but the square boundaries there are pockets that are helpful. I remember bowling a couple of bouncers and how they played it, and particularly Kohli looked a bit unsettled. He didn't know if he should take it on or not and how to play.
“The idea was trying to go cross and outside eyeline. He (Kohli) tried to pull it in front of square because there's protection out. Him trying to pull it in front of square, he just got a toe end on it and it carried through to BJ Watling. He got a bottom edge on it and it created a bit of a mode."
After Kohli’s dismissal, India collapsed to 270/6 as Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane failed to make an impact. But a late counterattack from Dhoni (39 off 41) and Ravindra Jadeja (26 off 21) kept India alive. The duo added 54 quick runs before Jadeja fell to Trent Boult.
Dhoni then built a small stand with Zaheer Khan before Wagner delivered the decisive blow, removing the Indian captain with a clever change of pace. MSD was the ninth wicket to fall, as India fell 40 runs short of the target.
"Then Dhoni and Jadeja looked like they were going to chase it down and play a phenomenal innings. Dhoni didn't look like it was bothering him too much. It was all about taking the positive and aggressive option for us. I was like I am going to bowl a slower ball bouncer to Dhoni. I did it and he chopped it on, and I was amazed by it,” Wagner concluded.