In his reflections on the iconic 2014 Auckland Test match against India, former New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner revealed how his short-ball strategies were crucial in getting rid of a youthful Virat Kohli and ultimately snagging the crucial wicket of then-captain MS Dhoni.
According to the left-arm pacer, Dhoni appeared more at ease and confident than Virat Kohli while facing speed in overseas conditions. Wagner’s four-wicket haul proved to be essential in defending a challenging target, and his efforts were instrumental in New Zealand’s 40-run victory.
India still had a chance to win the Test even though MS Dhoni was the last recognized batter at the crease. In the end, he helped the Kiwis get one wicket closer to a thrilling triumph by going for the big shots with the tailenders before being sliced off by Wagner’s slower bouncer.
Wagner eventually benefited from his steady execution of his strategies, and his 4/62 performance was essential in New Zealand’s victory. After a stalemate in the Wellington Test, the hosts won the Test to win the two-match series 1-0.
“Dhoni didn’t look like it was bothering him too much. It was all about taking the positive and aggressive option for us and not being fearful at all. I was like I am going to bowl a slower ball bouncer to Dhoni. I did it and he chopped it on, and I was amazed by it,” on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast, Wagner discussed how he trusted his gut and got rid of the vital batsman at 39.
Wagner also described how he came up with a strategy to target Virat Kohli and keep the Indian batting order under continual pressure with short-pitched deliveries. India remained in the hunt despite chasing a daunting score of 407 in the fourth innings.
With Kohli’s 67 runs and opener Shikhar Dhawan’s outstanding 115-run innings, India appeared to be headed for a historic victory. But Wagner had other ideas and intervened to stop India’s progress.
“The idea was trying to go across and outside the eyeline. He (Kohli) tried to pull it in front of square because there’s protection out. Him trying to pull it in front of square, he just got a toe end on it and it carried through to BJ Watling. He got a bottom edge on it and it created a bit of a mode. Then Dhoni and Jadeja looked like they were going to chase it down and play a phenomenal innings,” he recalled.
In February 2024, Wagner announced his retirement from international cricket. He is now the nation’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in the longest format after playing 64 Test matches and taking 260 wickets at an average of 27.72. Additionally, he was instrumental in New Zealand’s victory over India in the 2021 World Test Championship (WTC) final.
