3rd Test: Rishabh Pant backs Virat Kohli’s decision to bat, rues lack of application

Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has backed skipper Virat Kohli’s decision to bat after winning the toss in the ongoing third Test. The Indian team was bowled out for 78 in 40.4 overs, with James Anderson and Craig Overton accounting for three wickets apiece. Ollie Robinson and Sam Curran chipped in with two dismissals apiece. England ended Day 1 on a score of 120-0 after 42 overs with Haseeb Hameed (60) and Rory Burns (52) the players at the crease.

Interestingly, Kohli won the toss for the first time ever in Test matches held in England. However, his choice after the same has drawn criticism after the English bowlers extracted quality swing and seam with the new ball, to knock out Team India cheaply in their first innings.

“We are going to back our decision”

“Whatever decision we take, we take as a team. So once we have decided we are going to bat first, we are going to back our decision. Yes we could have applied much better but we can’t keep on thinking too much about the toss,” said Pant as quoted by India Today.

“It’s part and parcel of the game. Everyday the batting unit is giving its 100% but sometimes it doesn’t go well. In the morning, the wicket was slightly on the softer side and they bowled in good areas. We could have applied ourselves better. We can learn from it and only move on. That’s all we can do as cricketers. You learn from your mistakes and improve,” he added.

“When we batted, the wicket was slightly soft”

Pant admitted that the batsmen could have applied themselves in a much better manner. The cricketer had words of praise for the manner in which the English openers batted, stating the conditions had become more batting-friendly during that period.

“They took the heavy roller, the wicket was much more settled down, and they batted nicely also. But when we batted, the wicket was slightly soft, and they bowled in good areas, but we could have applied [ourselves] much better.”

Pant has been batting at No. 6 in the line-up, resulting in him being called upon to perform the rescue act rather than control the flow of the innings. The cricketer termed it as an opportunity rather than a burden.

“As a cricketer, I don’t think in that manner. Whatever be the situation, you think about the team first and what you can do in that situation… if the top-order collapses and you get an opportunity, I see it as an opportunity that if you can bail the team out of that situation, you are going to do wonders in your life, as a cricketer,” stated Pant.

“Somebody threw a ball at Mohammed Siraj”

The wicketkeeper-batsman revealed that Mohammed Siraj had been targeted by the English supporters on the opening day, with a plastic ball hurled at him. This annoyed Kohli who urged the fast-bowler to throw the object out.

“I think somebody threw a ball at Mohammed Siraj. Virat Kohli was upset, yes. You can say whatever you want to chant, but don’t throw things at the fielders. It’s not good for cricket, I guess,” concluded Pant.