'Kohli's Wicket At The End Was Very Important': Rachin Ravindra Emphasises Significance Of Virat's Dismissal
Photo : PTI
Ace New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra has admitted that Virat Kohli's wicket on the final ball of the third day of the first Test against India was very crucial in the context of the game. He added that he hopes his bowlers will keep piling the pressure on the Indian batters, especially after a well-set Kohli won't be there at the start and the dismal 46-all out running at the back of their minds.
Kohli (70) and Sarfaraz Khan (70 not out) added 136 runs for the third wicket to take India to 231/3 at stumps in the opening Test.
But Kohli fell to Glenn Phillips, edging him to stumper Tom Blundell to bring some respite to the visitors. While the former was visibly disappointed, Phillips' joy knew no bounds.
"It's pretty hard to crystal-ball gaze into the future. It's a quality batting line-up on a wicket that's not doing too much, so it's important for us to hold our lines and lengths and do that for long periods. But I think Kohli's wicket at the end was very important," Ravindra told the media at the end of the day's play.
"He's a guy who has scored 9,000-plus Test runs, which is pretty mind-blowing, but for us, it was a huge wicket. We know things happen quickly in this part of the world, so, hopefully, we can stick at it and get a few wickets in the morning," Ravindra added.
New Zealand are still ahead by 125 runs and the 24-year-old played his part in that by cracking his second Test century, a classy 134.
Ravindra was elated and said that the pre-tour training stint he had at the Chennai Super Kings Academy benefitted him.
"It was an extremely invaluable experience. Before the six Tests in the subcontinent, I thought maybe it would be the best thing for me to go and have a few days of training there. A bit more realistic conditions than what we'd, doctored, used wickets, in New Zealand, which, you know, wouldn't serve the same purpose," Ravindra said.
KL Rahul, who was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, is expected to join Sarfaraz in the middle in the first session on Day 4.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.
