Geoffrey Boycott Urges England Batsmen To Follow Kohli's Spin Class

Geoffrey Boycott has told England to learn from the example of India captain Virat Kohli when it comes to batting on spin-friendly pitches. England were twice dismissed cheaply on a Chennai pitch offe

"He used the odd sweep shot but stuck to the basics and batted superbly. "Virat defended with determination, his footwork was superb and at all times he was careful and watchful. His judgement of length was exceptional and his shot execution equally impressive.

"He showed that it is possible to bat properly," insisted Boycott, who criticised England's batsmen for trying to hit against the spin. Meanwhile, Boycott was glad that Joe Root's men "did not whinge about the pitch", adding criticism of a surface after an England defeat "sounds like sour grapes".

"Nothing in the laws of cricket says the pitch should be flat for batsmen," Boycott said. "Every pitch in India spins. It is just a question of when and how much it turns." The third Test in Ahmedabad starts next Wednesday (February 24).