In the first semi-final of ICC World cup 2019, India has lost to New Zealand by 18 Runs. Where Indian batsmen were troubled by the Kiwis.
India Top order has collapsed terribly and the young lad Rishabh Pant came to the crease and played a handy inning and anchored the innings a bit.
And was tricked by the New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner and went on for a big shot and was caught at the deep Mid-Wicket.
He tried his best but unable to keep up the moment and the young blood has not shown patience in batting for a long time.
Skipper Virat Kohli has backed the young talent during the press conference.
Kohli stated that Pant is too committed for the game and the skipper has taken him as an example and stated ” I have also committed a lot of avoidable mistakes during the early days of my career and I hope Pant will learn”
Kohli has given a brief explanation on Pant.
“He’s still young. I made many errors when I was young in my career and he will learn. He will look back and think yes, he could have chosen a different option in that situation and he realizes that already,” Kohli strongly came to the youngster’s defence.
Kohli wanted to rebuild the innings with Pandya with positive intent.
“He (Pant) is an instinctive player and did well to overcome that situation and stringing a partnership with Hardik (Pandya). I think the way they played after the loss of three wickets, four wickets rather, was quite commendable. I am sure he will reflect on it and he will come out stronger,” he said.
Virat was seen discussing with the Indian team head coach Ravi Hsatri on Pant.
“So all these guys have a lot of pride and passion to play for their country and they are the ones who feel the most disappointed when a mistake happens. From the outside, it looks like it was an error but the person who makes it trust me, they are the ones who suffer the most with it.” For the skipper, Pant is one for the future with the kind of talent he possesses.
“The talent is there for everyone to see and the character is there, but, as I said, yes, a few shots (refers to Hardik Pandya), not just Rishabh’s. But what happens in sport. You make errors, you make decisions which are not right at that time and you have to accept it.” Kohli was particularly happy for Ravindra Jadeja, who put up a lion-hearted show with the bat.
“I don’t think we had to say anything to Jadeja after what happened over the last week. He was quite ready to just get on to the park, to be honest (smiles),” Kohli said with obvious reference to Sanjay Manjrejar’s ‘bits and pieces’ cricketer remark.
“I’m really happy for him because he’s been a very understated but a top-quality cricketer for India on the field, with the ball, with the bat, priceless, so he’s had a great game today.” He is certainly sad that one bad day in the knock-outs ended a good campaign and wouldn’t mind if ICC revisits the format.
“I think we are sad but we are not devastated because of the kind of cricket that we played in this tournament. We know where we stood as a team and today we were not good enough (today) and that is the nature of this tournament. A bad day in the knockout stage you are out of the tournament,” he said.
“Maybe, we could have a re-look at the format where a team that has been consistent doesn’t get knocked out for having one bad day,” – he added.
“I don’t think that I would like to break things down immediately. But in time we’ll have to sit down and analyze where we went wrong and the things we could have done right in this game particularly.” – Virat Kohli.
