Bowling in Test cricket is never easy, but for England’s speedster Mark Wood, taking on India’s batters presents a whole new level of difficulty. Known for regularly clocking over 150 kmph, Wood recently opened up about the challenges he’s faced bowling to some of India’s top batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant.
Speaking on The Overlap podcast, the English pacer highlighted why bowling in India—and especially to these three names—is a test even for seasoned bowlers.
Rohit Sharma: Dangerous on His Day
Mark Wood described former India Test captain Rohit Sharma as one of the toughest opponents he’s bowled to. According to him, Rohit’s ability to handle short-pitched deliveries makes him a dangerous batter.
“I would say Rohit was difficult because against the short ball, you feel like you, for myself, I’ve got a chance of getting him out, but also if he’s on his day, he smokes it. So, he was difficult,” Wood said, as quoted by the Indian Express.
Wood added humorously, “I always felt like his bat was big, it just kept getting wider.”
In his Test career, Wood has dismissed Rohit only once in six innings—underlining how challenging it is to outfox the Indian opener, especially in home conditions.
Virat Kohli: A Competitor Who Rarely Misses
When it comes to Virat Kohli, Wood admitted that although he always felt there was a chance to get him out by bowling around the fourth or fifth stump line, Kohli’s precision made execution tough.
“Kohli, obviously. Unbelievable competitor, someone that I felt you have this weakness of fourth, fifth stump. Drag him in. He seemed to never miss them when I bowled him there. So, that was difficult,” Wood shared.
The statistics back it up. Wood has bowled to Kohli in two Test innings but hasn’t managed to dismiss him even once. This reflects Kohli’s solid technique and mental toughness, especially in high-pressure scenarios.
Why India Is a Tough Venue for Fast Bowlers Like Wood
Wood has played four Test matches against India, three of which were in India. His bowling average stands at a high 50.00 in these games—a figure that illustrates just how difficult Indian conditions are for fast bowlers. Indian pitches often offer less pace and bounce, neutralizing many of the strengths that bowlers like Wood rely on.
Against Rohit, Wood has taken only one wicket in six innings, and against Kohli, none in two innings. These numbers further underline the challenge he’s referring to.
Rishabh Pant: Unpredictability Is Key
While most bowlers struggle to contain Rishabh Pant, Wood has actually found some success. He’s dismissed Pant once in just 19 balls while giving away only 14 runs—a rare stat when it comes to the aggressive Indian left-hander.
Sharing his approach, Wood emphasized the importance of unpredictability. “You’ve got to hold your nerve… you have to be so unpredictable that it doesn’t play into his hands,” he explained.
“If you are the same all the time, then he’s got such a good eye, he sort of hits it where he wants. You’ve got to have a mixture—a slower ball, a change-up, a really high bouncer, or a fast yorker,” he added.
This calculated approach helped Wood contain Pant better than most international bowlers have.
Looking Ahead to the Ashes
Mark Wood did not feature in the recent England vs India Test series due to injury. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, which kicks off on November 21 with the first Test in Perth.
Fit and firing, Wood will look to make a strong return and continue building on his impressive pace-bowling legacy. His experience against top-tier Indian batters like Rohit, Kohli, and Pant will no doubt play a part in shaping his future strategies.
