ICC World Cup 2019: Fielders are Going to Have a Crucial Role - Virat Kohli

Indian National Cricket Team went down by six wickets against New Zealand in the first warm-up game at the Kennington Oval in London. Following their loss, India skipper Virat Kohli admitted that the players will have to play a crucial role in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 due to start from May 30.

Fielders will play a crucial role: Kohli

Meanwhile, Kohli’s decision to bat first backfired as the openers – Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan got back to the hut early. Striving at 10 for two, Virat Kohli looked to stitch a partnership with KL Rahul, who came at four with Vijay Shankar injured. However, Trent Boult shed fire with the new ball as he removed 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.

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During the chase, Jasprit Bumrah kept up the pressure removing Colin Munro in the second over. Martin Guptill followed the pack soon, but Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor shared a 114-run stand for the third wicket to set the tone for the chase. Although Taylor and Williamson got out, Henry Nicholls ensured New Zealand home safely.

Speaking at the end of the game, Virat Kohli feels the wickets will be different in the second innings from that of the first innings. The Indian skipper also added that the lower order will have to chip in with a tournament like the World Cup. Besides, Kohli feels the fielders will have to be on their toes as they will play a crucial role.

“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.

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The fielders are going to have a crucial role. We have to be precise in every department,” Kohli said.

India will play their second warm-up game against Bangladesh on May 28 before they begin their World Cup on June 5 against South Africa at Southampton.