Virat Kohli walked out to bat instead of nightwatchman after Rohit Sharma fell on Day 5.
Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg heaped praise on the Indian skipper Virat Kohli, saying that he made a huge statement by walking in to bat instead of nightwatchman after Rohit Sharma perished just before the stumps at Day 5 of the WTC 2021 final.
The WTC final is evenly poised even though two days were washed out due to the rain. The Kiwis took a substantial 32-run lead in the first innings. At Stumps on Day 5, Team India was 32 runs ahead of New Zealand’s score with skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease.
However, just a few overs before the stumps, Rohit Sharma was dismissed LBW by Tim Southee which saw skipper Virat Kohli walking into bat instead of nightwatchman.
“India lost two quick wickets last night. Rohit Sharma, just before stumps, was a crucial wicket for New Zealand to get. But, the one thing I liked about that one particular moment was Virat Kohli not going for the night watchman when he could have,” Brad Hogg said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Hogg said that by walking out to bat instead of nightwatchman, Virat Kohli made a huge statement. He added that the Indian skipper was not shy and wanted to set himself for big innings.
“In tough conditions, he went out and led his troops from the front. He wanted to make a statement to New Zealand bowlers that he was not scared of them. He was not shy and wanted to set himself up for big innings today,” he said.
Brad Hogg further said that despite the WTC 2021 final going to the reserve day the Test is alive and well and there is plenty of cricket to be played today with New Zealand being in the driver seat.
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“This Test match is alive and well. I think that there is going to be a result at the end of it. There is plenty of cricket to be played today. There is going to be sunshine around and, finally, we are going to get a full day’s play. New Zealand is in the box seat for me,” he concluded.
New Zealand is in the driver’s seat as they have removed Indian skipper Virat Kohli along with Cheteshwar Pujara during the first hour of the reserve day of the WTC 2021 final.
It would be interesting to see which team will have the upper hand on the reserve day of the WTC 2021 final as all three results are possible.