‘Managing player workloads’ key to winning World Test Championship – Virat Kohli

Kohli was speaking after Jasprit Bumrah, his pace spearhead, returned an incredible 5/7 in a 318-run victory over West Indies in Antigua on Sunday, 25 August. West Indies were bundled out for 100, in chase of 419, and Bumrah, who claimed just 1/55 in the first innings on his comeback from a short break, was relentless.

Bumrah was key for India in their run to the semi-final at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, but sat out of the limited-overs leg in the Caribbean thereafter. Kohli suggested more of that should be expected. “That's probably the most important thing for us right now, managing player workloads," said Kohli.

“That's why he (Bumrah) didn't play any white-ball cricket after the World Cup because we wanted him to be fresh for the Tests. He is going to be a key factor for us as long as the Test championship continues. We know how good a bowler he is. And the impact he can make in a spell.”

That will be the case with the rest of pace attack, including Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. “Shami is the same. Ishant is a banker for years now. And he can make an impact in any spell he bowls. Those three together are bowling really well,” said Kohli.

“Umesh [Yadav] hasn't had a game, and we have Navdeep Saini, who can bowl 150 clicks, waiting in the wings. We are pretty settled as far as our bowling options are concerned. Managing workloads and the number of overs we bowl is going to be a key factor for us.”

The victory in the first Test also meant Kohli has become the most successful captain for India in overseas Tests. Kohli, who surpassed Sourav Ganguly's tally of 11 overseas wins as India's Test captain, credited the team for the achievement.

“It [captaincy] is a responsibility that I am fulfilling," Kohli said. "It is a blessing that I am in a position where I can contribute to the team in more than one way. I like taking that responsibility, but nothing is possible without the team.

“If these guys hadn't bowled or batted the way they have, we wouldn't have won the Tests we have. The credit can't be taken away from them at all, because I am just making decisions on the field. Execution is in their hand. Always been a team game for us.”

The second Test begins in Kingston on Friday, 30 August.