2nd Test: Virat Kohli backs Rishabh Pant to continue batting fearlessly

Team India skipper Virat Kohli has backed wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant to maintain a fearless attitude with the bat, during the remaining Test matches of the ongoing five-match series against England. Kohli believes Pant enjoys the ability to play a long innings in an aggressive manner. However, the 32-year-old also backed the talented youngster to adapt his gameplay in case of a scenario where Team India is looking to save the game.

“That is basically how he plays. He has the capability to carry on and play a long innings in that manner. It necessarily does not have to be a very defensive role, when there is demand of the situation, he is intelligent enough to understand. If we are looking to save a game, you would not see him play those kind of shots. Wherever there is a 50-50 situation and he can change the game, he will take the chance,” said Kohli during the pre-match presser ahead of the 2nd Test as quoted by Times Now.

“That’s how he plays and that is who he is. We want him to be that way. From Rishabh, we expect that he plays the innings that changes the momentum of the game and take that balance towards us. He is going to play this way,” he added.

“Don’t think Ajinkya Rahane’s form is an area of concern”

Kohli further backed vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane heading into the second Test, despite his poor recent form.

“I do not think that is an area of concern. Our basic focus is not to think about where are people individually at the moment, collectively how much strength they bring into the team is our focus. As a batting unit, we are looking to perform in difficult conditions so that we are in winning positions and someone is going to put their hand up every game,” said the Team India skipper.

Kohli has hinted that the team management might look to stick to the combination of four special pace bowlers and a spinner, despite Shardul Thakur being sidelined due to an injury.

“The good thing is that Jadeja has got runs in the first Test already. So he will go into the second game confident. That already makes our batting a bit deeper. Lower order contributed with the bat as well,” said Kohli as quoted by News 18.

“Comfortable with where we are placed as a batting unit”

“Shardul brings in more batting ability [to the side]. But having said that, from the batting point of view we are well placed because Pujara, Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane) and myself… Rohit and KL played very well [in the first Test]. So we are comfortable with where we are placed as a batting unit and we don’t feel we might be a batsman short if Shardul doesn’t play,” added the Team India skipper.

Kohli termed picking 20 wickets as the central priority of his players.

“For us, it is about finding that perfect balance. But if someone like Shardul is not available, we will definitely look at first how to pick 20 wickets, and not try to plug in another guy who can give us runs with the bat. We feel very comfortable with how the first Test went,” concluded the Team India skipper.