IND vs SA: Virat Kohli Reveals Team Management Had A Conversation With Rishabh Pant Regarding His Poor Shot Selection In The 2nd Test

Updated - 10 Jan 2022, 07:02 PM

Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Twitter)

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India red-ball captain Virat Kohli has revealed that the Indian team management had a conversation with wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant during a practice session regarding his poor shot selection in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa.

Young Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has faced a lot of criticism for his extravagant shot selection in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa which resulted in him getting out on a duck in the second innings.

Virat Kohli and Dean Elgar, (Photo Credit: Getty)

India red-ball captain Virat Kohli addressed the media on the eve of the 3rd Test against South Africa and backed Pant by saying that every player makes mistakes in his career and it’s all about accepting the mistakes and keep improving. He said:

“We had a conversation with Rishabh during practice. The shot that a batsman plays to get out, he is the first to know whether it was right according to the situation or not… We all have made mistakes in our careers in important situations.

“We have all got out, sometimes due to pressure, sometimes due to the bowler’s skill. It’s very important to understand that what was the mindset at that moment, what decision you took and what was your mistake there. As long as we keep accepting our mistakes, we will improve and make sure that we don’t repeat those.”

Kohli further added that he had a conversation regarding the mistakes with legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni and his advice about the importance of keeping a 7-8-months gap between two mistakes has stuck to his system. He elaborated:

“I have talked about this many times that MS Dhoni told me that there should be a gap of 7-8 months between two mistakes, then only you have a big career in international cricket.

“So that thing stuck to my system that I won’t make the same mistake again and again and that only happens when you reflect upon your mistakes which I know Rishabh does and he’ll definitely keep improving in the future. He’ll make sure to stand up for the team, put big performances in important situations and continue to learn from his mistakes.”

That Experience Is Obviously Priceless For Us – Virat Kohli On Ajinkya Rahane And Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Photo-Getty

Virat Kohli talked about senior batters Rahane and Pujara and said that their experience is priceless for the team. He added that the experienced duo always steps up and plays crucial knocks for the team in crucial Tests. He stated:

“If you look at the last Test, both Jinks and Pujara, the way batted in the second innings, that experience is obviously priceless for us and especially in series like these, you know the guys have done the job in the past and you know when you are playing overseas in tough conditions, these guys will always step up with performances.

“We saw that in Australia as well and we are seeing that now in the last Test. Crucial knocks in crucial situations – that has a lot of value… So I think we should leave transition to unfold itself and not necessarily force individuals in difficult situations or in tricky situations.”

Virat Kohli while talking about KL Rahul who captained the team in the second Test said that he did a very balanced captaincy. He explained:

“I think KL captained in a very balanced way in the second Test. Seeing his plans and field placements, I felt that he was trying his best to take wickets and get the breakthrough in the second innings.

“I think the situation was such that South Africa played really well to chase those runs. I don’t think we could have anything more than that. Everyone has a different captaincy style, maybe I would have done something different but everyone’s intent is the same – how to take wickets and what plan you believe in.”

Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara’s Experience Is Priceless – Virat Kohli Says Transitions Will Happen Naturally

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