Pacer Ollie Robinson, set to return to the England Test squad after recovering from an injury, expressed his excitement and readiness for the upcoming five-match Test series against India. Robinson, who last played in July, is eager to face star batter Virat Kohli and is practicing the “dead-straight” seam bowling of Indian pacer Mohammed Shami.
Robinson, having evolved significantly since his last tour to India in 2021, is prepared for the challenges posed by varied surfaces and conditions. He emphasized his adaptability to different conditions and welcomed the opportunity to engage his cricket intellect.
During practice, Robinson focused on emulating Shami’s seam technique and drew inspiration from Ishant Sharma, emphasizing the importance of adaptability on the tour. He anticipates an engaging battle against Kohli, relishing the opportunity to face one of the best players in the world.
“You always want to play against the best players, do not you? And you always want to get the best players out. Kohli is one of those. He has got a big ego and I think playing on that, especially in India, where he is going to want to dominate and score runs, playing on the fact we’ve had battles in the past, is exciting,” Ollie Robinson said.
Reflecting on his previous series against India at home, Robinson shared memories of taking 21 wickets and dismissing Kohli three times. He looks forward to creating similar moments and acknowledges the excitement of playing against top players.
With the retirement of Stuart Broad, Robinson could take on a new-ball specialist role. However, he remains grounded, expressing his focus on performing well for England and securing his place in the team.
The England Test squad, led by Ben Stokes, is approaching the India series with an open mind, acknowledging the challenges of facing spin bowling and turning pitches. Robinson’s contributions will be crucial as England aims to put up a strong performance in the subcontinent.
The series, scheduled to be played in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Rajkot, and Dharamshala, promises thrilling encounters and will test England’s adaptability in diverse cricketing conditions.
