WTC Final: Pleasing to get him – Kyle Jamieson on dismissing Virat Kohli

New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson got the big wicket of Indian skipper Virat Kohli on day three of the World Test Championship final. Kohli had looked in sublime form on the second day of play as he was in full control.

However, the Indian skipper could not add any run to his overnight score and was dismissed on 44 by the lanky pacer.

Jamieson, who plays under the leadership of Virat Kohli in the IPL, was able to set up his RCB captain beautifully. The fast bowler got the ball to move away from the talisman and then got one ball to move back into him to plumb him in front of the wickets. Kohli’s head fell over slightly towards the off-side and he could not make the connection with the ball.

Jamieson stated it was pleasing to dismiss Virat Kohli as the Indian captain could have put his team in a commanding position. The tall fast bowler has had a dream start to his Test career as he scalped his fifth five-wicket haul in his eighth Test match.

“I think he’s a world-class batter, and those guys don’t tend to have too many chinks in their armours. Certainly, pleasing to get him. Like I said before, he’s obviously a massive part of their line-up, and to get him early certainly set things up nicely for us. Just was pleasing in terms of myself being able to wobble the ball and try and keep him in check a little bit, and to get that wicket was pleasing and just a great start for our game.”

Jamieson returned with figures of 5/31 and played a key role in skittling out the Indian team for a paltry score of 217 runs. Apart from Kohli, Jamieson got the big wickets of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma on successive balls.

Jamieson added that the ball to Kohli is not his natural length as he bowls slightly on the short side being a tall fast bowler.

“It is certainly not my natural length (ball which dismissed Kohli). Naturally, as a taller guy, you are going to be back of a length. While I felt good at times yesterday, I also felt a little bit tentative. My body probably sort of brought my lengths back. Today I felt a lot freer and was able to bring that length fuller.

Tried to change my strategy a little bit in terms of trying to get it fuller and getting it to wobble a little bit. That paid off,” Jamieson explained.

New Zealand have put their noses in front as they are 101-2 and trail India by 116 runs.