Indian National Cricket Team skipper Virat Kohli feels the lower-order needs to score runs at times when top-order fails in a tournament like the World Cup. Meanwhile, India went down against New Zealand by six wickets in the first warm-up game at the Kennington Oval in London.
Lower order needs to contribute: Rahul
Chasing 180 runs, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor shared a 114-run stand for the third wicket to set the tone for the chase. The duo batted with excellent authority domination the India bowling attack. Previously, Jasprit Bumrah provided an early breakthrough, but Williamson and Taylor nullified that with a 100+ stand. Although both of the settled batters went back to the hut, Henry Nicholls ensured they go home safely.
Previously, Virat Kohli’s decision to bat first backfired. Trent Boult wrecked havoc dismissing both the openers – Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan early. Striving at 10 for two, Virat Kohli looked to stitch a partnership with KL Rahul, who came at four with Vijay Shankar injured. Boult claimed his third wicket removing Rahul while Jimmy Neesham removed Kohli to have India at 39 for four. But significant contributions from Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja helped them post 179 runs.
Meanwhile, the pitch eased out in the second half, and Virat Kohli admitted that there was nothing for the bowlers during New Zealand’s batting. The India skipper also added that the lower order will have to score runs in tournaments like the World Cup.
Kohli also called that the fielders will have to play a crucial role which will decide the fate of the match.
“It is going to be very different in the second innings. The wicket didn’t have enough in the second innings. Very good innings. In a tournament like WC, the lower order has to score at times if the top-order gets out quickly. Hardik batted well, MS absorbed the pressure well and Jadeja played well. The fielders are going to have a crucial role. We have to be precise in every department,” Kohli said.