I Did What I Felt Right At That Time - Punam Raut On Her Decision To 'Walk'

India women batter Punam Raut said she made an “impulsive” call and “listened to my soul” when she walked away despite the umpiring giving her not out during the Day-Night Test match versus Australia.

During the 81st over of India’s first innings in Carrara, Punam Raut, batting on 36, edged Sophie Molineux to wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy. Healy appealed for the catch but got no support from the bowler or the slip fielder, and the umpire didn’t raise his finger.

Punam Raut, however, was quick to move away from the pitch and continued walking towards the Indian dressing room. While the cricket fraternity remains divided on a batter ‘walking’, the 31-year-old felt it was the right thing to do.

“When I walked off it was an impulsive decision and I knew it was out and I listened to my soul and did what I felt right at that time. Usually, when a wicket falls no team likes it, and the same happens. Everyone always has a different opinion but I did what I felt like was right,” Punam Raut told Times Of India.

The team is working out different strategies in the run-up to the World Cup: Punam Raut

Punam Raut was dropped from India’s ODI eleven during the series in England earlier in the year. That was despite performing impressively during the previous home series versus South Africa; she didn’t feature in the ODI series in Australia either. Her strike rate of 58.26 in ODI cricket has been under criticism.

The experienced player, though, understands part and parcel of a team sport as skipper Mithali Raj and coach Ramesh Powar builds the team for the World Cup next year.

“Yes, I was disappointed when I was dropped, but such things are part and parcel of the game. Also, the team is working out different strategies in the run-up to the World Cup.

“They are trying different combinations and seeing what works best. The whole idea is to give players a chance to get some games under their belt which will boost their morale and get everybody ready for the World Cup,” she added.

India lost the multi-format series in Australia: the hosts won the ODI series 2-1, drew the one-off Test, and won the T20I series 2-0.

Also Read: I Would Love To Play Test Cricket Again For Australia – Mitchell Marsh