Wasn't trying to bowl that magic ball, it just happened: Dom Bess on Kohli dismissal

Tags: England tour of India 2021, India vs England, 1st Test at Chennai, Feb 05-09, 2021, India, England, Dominic Mark Bess, Virat Kohli

Published on: Feb 08, 2021

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England off-spinner Dom Bess starred for the visitors on Day 3 of the first Test against India in Chennai. Bess claimed 4 for 55 in 23 overs as India stumbled to 257 for 6 in response in England’s mammoth first-innings total of 578.

All of Bess’ four victims were big scalps - Indian captain Virat Kohli (11), vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (1), Cheteshwar Pujara (73) and Rishabh Pant (91). However, it was the off-spinner’s dismissal of Kohli that stood out. Bess drew Kohli forward with a flighted delivery and Ollie Pope took a fine catch at short leg to send Kohli back on 11.

Speaking at the end of day’s play, Bess said that he was not trying to bowl a magic ball, but just wanted to keep it tight, and things happened. He stated, "[on the Kohli wicket] I was just trying to bowl at a spot, trying to build pressure for a long time, and II guess it just happened. It wasn't like I was trying to bowl that magic ball. It was really just about hitting that box. I saw the replay and it seemed to [drift] a little more and got him playing at a wider line, and I'm glad Popey took a great catch at short leg.”

For India, Rishabh Pant top-scored with a magnificent 91 to help India some kind of a fightback. On the left-hander, Bess added, "[Bowling to Pant] He's a phenomenal talent. We saw him in the Australia Tests and that ability. At four down, he's charging at Leachy and going hard. Very bold innings. I thought Leachy bowled really well today.”

"You saw the spot map, and from him to Sundar, I guess he had 20 balls on the same spot, but I guess it was just a different innings [from Pant]. We've seen today how much the pitch has broken up, how much it's started spinning. We'll come back tomorrow, try to get these four wickets, and assess where we stand," Bess went on to explain

India need another 122 runs to save the follow-on. Washington Sundar was unbeaten on at stumps and Ravichandran Ashwin on 8

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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