Chaminda Vaas, Wasim Jaffer analyse what Virat Kohli needs to do to succeed on England tour

India’s tour to England is just two months away. And the talks around it have already begun. Among all debates, the most talked about is how the Indian captain Virat Kohli will fare on the big tour.

Preparations for a few like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma, who are not part of the jazzy Indian Premier League, have already begun as both are plying their trade in County cricket.

There are also reports of Kohli, who had a forgettable tour of England in 2014, following suit by playing County. However, the team Kohli will play for is yet to be decided.

Sri Lankan great and once a County regular Chaminda Vaas believes the Indian players will benefit from playing First Class cricket in England ahead of the all important tour.

“When it comes to England, it is a different ball game. There is a lot of patience needed. I am sure the way India is playing right now, they will do well. Even the captain has set an example, being a fit person, trying to achieve all his objectives,” the fast bowler, who is in Mumbai as the coach at Centre of Excellence programme by Jwala Sports Foundation, told DNA.

“(County) Its a different ball game. While playing County cricket you need to be patient. The ball moves a lot compared to subcontinent. You need to spend more time in the middle and try to build innings. I am sure all the county experience will help them,” he added.

Indian domestic great Wasim Jaffer, who is a regular at playing club cricket in England, agrees with Vaas. “I think it will help them immensely. If you see Zaheer Khan, he was a different bowler when he came back after his Worcestershire stint. And before that, whoever has played there - Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble - learnt a lot. Because you play four-five months of non-stop cricket in different conditions. You learn the art of how to score runs, how to take wickets, and that is what teaches you. It will help them immensely,” Jaffer said.

Asked if Kohli will be successful this time around in England, Vaas said: “I am sure he will be. He is an amazing guy and cricketer. He wants to be the best in the world. He just needs to be patient, respect the bowler and leave the ball in the first few minutes. Once he gets his eye, he can go for his shots. He will learn quickly and will be able to get runs. The County still will be helpful."

Jaffer reckons Kohli has to prove himself. “I think he wants to leave no stone unturned in his preparation. Going there and playing County cricket I think will help him a lot before the Test series. He obviously has scored all over the world except for in England. That's something he has to prove to himself and people also, but more to himself. Going to England and playing in the month of June and July I think is the best preparation. The more matches he plays the more it will help them.”

Jaffer said he doesn’t see Kohli failing this time around. “I don’t see he is going to fail this time around. He is a much more mature player, much more refined. Mentally very matured and technically very stable than what he was in 2013-14. So, I don’t see him failing this time.”

The stylish batsman has a tip for Kohli to counter the unpredictable English conditions. “The pitch condition changes as the weather changes. You have to learn how to adapt as a batsman or bowler. More or less, Virat needs to play the ball late, with soft hands, intially. 20-25 balls are very vital. I think from his last series (in England) he might have learnt a lot.”

Vaas is also impressed by the Indian pacers and feels that they have the potential to do well in England.

“Over the years past one year, India has a full bowling squad. Bhuvi, Ishant, Shami, Bumrah all have been bowling really well. Some have played in England and done well there. It’s all about accuracy and consistency. If they put in right areas, try to play patient game, even the bowlers will do well in England.” he said.

Jaffer called it the best pace attack to travel to England. “It’s the best attack. We never had bowlers so many bowlers who bowled around 140kmph. Plus there is Hardik Pandya who gives you stability with bat too. There are good spinners as well. Ashwin has a lot to prove. Kuldeep will be there. The ball spins in england on the fourth-fifth day. We have most bases covered,” Jaffer said.