Former Blackcaps paceman Dion Nash is tipping Virat Kohli’s reintroduction to the Indian Test team could give the Kiwis a chance to “upset the apple cart”.
Kohli sat out of the recent T20s between the two nations and also missed the first Test, however he is set to return to resume the captaincy in the second Test beginning on Friday in Mumbai.
It will be his first game under new coach Rahul Dravid, and Nash is tipping there might be tension in Kohli’s selection.
Nash was asked on SENZ’s Afternoons With Staffy what the Blackcaps’ mindset will be when Kohli walks out to bat.
“If you’re Kyle Jamieson you’re asking for the ball, you’re rubbing your hands in glee,” he replied.
“Any great player you rise to the challenge, or you fall on your sword.
“Slightly controversially, as great as Kohli is, there’s a chance he upsets the apple cart.
“He comes back in having sort of being the leader of the team and a huge personality, he comes back into a new coach and a set up where he’s used to being the star and the leader.
“That’s an opportunity for us, get under his skin a little bit, get into the group a little bit, get the other people who are the new leaders under pressure.
“He’ll obviously be determined to come and prove himself as well.”
The first Test in Kanpur ended in a draw after New Zealand managed to hold off the Indian attack to finish nine wickets down on day five.
Jamieson, as Nash stated, has bowled well to Kohli in the past and recently became the fastest Kiwi bowler to reach 50 Test wickets.