Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman lauded skipper Virat Kohli for his batting in the first innings of the WTC 2021 final against New Zealand, saying that he oozed intent and positivity during his knock.
Asked to bat first, Team India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill showed great resilience and determination, giving the team a solid start, scoring 62 runs for the opening partnership.
However, after the wicket of Rohit Sharma, New Zealand shifted the momentum towards themselves and were on the top as both Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara lost their wickets early.
Kohli resumed his knock from 44* on day 3 along with Ajinkya Rahane, who was unbeaten on 29. However, he failed to add any runs to his overnight score and was dismissed LBW by Kyle Jamieson.
VVS Laxman said that winning the toss in overcast conditions was very crucial and Kane Williamson fired the first shot for his side by calling it right.
"Much to everyone's collective relief, play eventually got under way right at the start of the scheduled second day in the World Test Championship final on Saturday, following Friday's washout.
“The conditions, grey and heavily overcast and with a forecast for showers, made the toss very crucial, and Kane Williamson fired the first shot for New Zealand by calling right,” VVS Laxman wrote in his column for Times of India.
Laxman wrote that losing toss transferred pressure to India but openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were impressive as they were sure of where their off-stump was.
He added that Trent Boult and Tim Southee being off the rhythm helped the duo as both played excellent shots and played close to the body.
"That immediately transferred the pressure onto India. It was crucial that Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, the openers, knuckle down and get the side off to a good start, and that's precisely what they did. In fact, they did better than that. They were extremely sure of where their off-stump was, and while they were watchful, they didn't miss out on any scoring opportunity either.
“Tim Southee and Trent Boult were a little off the boil, which made their task slightly easier. Rohit was particularly impressive, very compact and playing close to his body, while Shubman played a couple of excellent short-arm pulls and India progressed at a healthy pace," he said.
Laxman said that New Zealand is a top side as they possess a quality bowling line-up along with excellent execution of plans. He pointed out that Rohit Sharma’s wicket shifted the momentum towards the Kiwis.
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He added that Sharma would be kicking himself as to how he was dismissed, which undid all his hard work and after Cheteshwar Pujara’s wicket India was in a spot of bother.
"New Zealand, however, aren't a top side for nothing. Not only do they have great quality and class in their bowling, they are also excellent in the execution of their plans. The balance started to shift the moment Kyle Jamieson was brought into the attack, and when Rohit played at a widish delivery to provide them the opening, they were quick to step up and grab the initiative.
“Rohit will be kicking himself for having done all the hard work and not kicked on, though Shubman could have done very little about the beauty he received from Neil Wagner. When Boult struck after lunch with another peach to evict Cheteshwar Pujara, India were in a spot, though they did have the luxury of falling back on their skipper," he said.
VVS Laxman lauded Virat Kohli for his batting in the post-lunch session on day 2 saying that his body language suggested that he was switched on and his footwork was the standout feature of his approach.
"Virat Kohli was excellent, especially in the post-lunch session when he oozed intent and positivity. Intent is reflected not just in hitting boundaries, but in solid defensive strokes, running between the wickets, even in good leaves. Virat's body language suggested that he was switched on, and his positive footwork and the desire to get to the pitch of the ball were standout features of his approach,” he said.
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VVS Laxman further called the match a 'battle of attrition', adding that the first innings total would be crucial in the context of constant stoppages.
“This Test is already shaping up to be a battle of attrition, as expected. The conditions are unlikely to ease up significantly, and constant stoppages for bad light and rain will add to the challenges of the batsmen. Against this backdrop, it is very important to eke out as many runs as possible in the first innings, which could make a big difference as the Test match unravels," he concluded.
(Times of India inputs)
