Conditions are very taxing: Trent Boult

The energy-sapping weather in Kolkata has severely tested the New Zealanders with paceman Trent Boult saying that he has never played in such hot and humid conditions.

“I have to put these as some of the tougher conditions I have ever played in my career. I am not too sure what it looks like on TV but it is pretty taxing. Obviously the dryness in the wicket and in the air is pretty tough,” Boult said.

“The last session is probably the easiest session in terms of heat. You are just sapped by the time that comes around. The guys did extremely well to put the balls in the areas we did and apply that pressure.

“It was spoken in the huddle that we weren’t just going to let them drift away with the game with a figure in mind. We wanted to put pressure on them and make them earn every run. I think we did very well.”

Boult also hailed Rohit Sharma’s splendid effort of 82 that helped India finished the day on a high with 227 for eight in the second innings. “He applied himself very well and made some good decisions. He was tested there throughout. A lot of credit to him on a wicket that is going up and down and a little bit of reverse swing there at the end. He batted very well and I couldn’t see a change in his game.”

Having dismissed Indian skipper Virat Kohli for 45 with a delivery that stayed very low, Boult said, “He is a massive player for them. It was nice to get him out eventually and we bowled very nicely to him to not let him cash in too nicely. To get him out for 30 or 40-odd was a massive wicket. We all bowled very nicely to him.”

Boult particularly troubled Dhawan with high-rising deliveries leaving the left-handed Indian opener with a swollen thumb in his bottom hand.

Backing his batsmen he said they have quality in the line up to apply themselves in tough conditions.