Virat Kohli's captaincy and fields were spot-on: VVS Laxman

NEW DELHI: Former batsman VVS Laxman praised Indian captain Virat Kohli for his inspiring bowling changes and field placements on the fifth day of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand at Southampton. India are 64/2 leading New Zealand by 32 runs as the match heads to a rare sixth and final day.
In his column for the Times of India, Laxman wrote, "The big point of interest when play began an hour late on the fifth day in Southampton was how India's bowlers would acquit themselves, with New Zealand seemingly in a position of strength.As it turned out, and despite a great hand from the wonderful Kane Williamson, India's bowling group rose to the occasion superbly. They bowled long spells without losing intensity, and retained their focus admirably, not providing loose offerings even though conditions eased up for batting."
In the face of precision bombing by Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, New Zealand hunkered down and eked out only 34 runs in 23 overs in the first session of the day. Shami led India's attack with 4/76, while Ishant took 3/48.
"One of the hallmarks of a top performer is the ability to course-correct quickly, and that's precisely what Mohammed Shami did. He pitched the ball up just that little bit more than on the third evening, and found ample reward as he troubled all New Zealand batsmen. Virat Kohli's captaincy was also spot-on, especially in his placement of a silly mid-off parallel to the bowling crease for Ross Taylor, who tends to drive uppishly in that direction but not hard enough for the ball to carry to mid-off. Shubman Gill pulled off a brilliant catch when Taylor played into Indian hands, and Rohit Sharma took another wonderful catch in the slips once Ishant Sharma found Henry Nicholls' outside edge," Laxman added.
Indian pacers exploited ideal overcast conditions to put a squeeze on the Kiwis and prise out Ross Taylor (11), Henry Nicholls (7) and BJ Watling (1) in the space of seven overs close to lunch.
"R Ashwin had just been asked to limber up to relieve Shami, who had bowled a longish spell, when Nicholls was dismissed. Virat went with his instinct and stuck with Shami, who obliged with an absolute beauty that opened up BJ Watling. The morning session was all India's, even though Kane was outstanding. He plays the ball late and doesn't commit outside off. Post lunch, Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson did chance their arm against the second new ball and added useful runs. New Zealand opened up a handy but hardly decisive lead, making this a fascinating second-innings battle," Laxman signed off.