edited by: Aditya Maheshwari
Last Update: March 01, 2023, 18:15 IST
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to score big on the first day of the Indore Test (AP Image)
Talking about the batting surface, Rathour suggested that it was drier than the hosts expected which took everyone by surprise.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour defended the Indian batsmen after a flop show on Day 1 of the Indore Test match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Indian batsmen failed to mount a challenge with the bat against the Australian trio – Matthew Kuhnmann, Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy. Kuhnmann spun his net around the hosts on a difficult batting surface as he claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The entire Indian team was bundled out for 109 runs in just 33.2 overs. Virat Kohli Became the top run-scorer for the hosts – 22 off 52 balls. The Asian giants have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series but are yet to seal a spot in the series World Test Championship Final.
Highlights of Day 1 of India vs Australia 3rd Test
“It was a bad day for our batting, nobody played a bad shot for anything,” Rathour told the press conference after the end of the first day’s play.
That’s the way Rohit bats, he likes to take on bowlers. It didn’t turn out today: V Rathor, batting coach #INDvAUS @cricketnext— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) March 1, 2023
The batting also defended star duo Rohit Sharma (12) and Virat Kohli (22) who failed to convert good starts into big scores in difficult conditions.
“Rohit bats like this, he likes to take on bowlers. It didn’t work out today. These are challenging wickets but as a team we like to play on these wickets. Rathore said, Virat is looking really good.
These are challenging wickets but as a team we like to play on these wickets. Virat has looked really good: V Rathour, batting coach #INDvAUS @cricketnext— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) March 1, 2023
Read this also | India vs Australia: India Collapse while navigating the minefield of Indore
Talking about the batting surface, Rathour suggested that it was drier than the hosts expected which took everyone by surprise.
“We like to play on turning tracks… It is a one-time wicket. Today was drier than we expected and that’s done a lot more,” he said.
He further thwarted the Australian spinners to hit the right areas on a dry surface to get the Indian batsmen out of their den.
Read this also | Exclusive | Dry, dry, dry: How Team India chose the Indore Test pitch
“It felt like (the wicket coming out easily), it got a bit slower than in the morning. He bowled in really good places in the morning.”
Rathour insisted that India need to restrict Australia early on the second day and do well in the second innings to make a case for themselves in this match.
He said, ‘He has the edge but he needs to bat at number four. So we have to get them out early and bat really well in our second innings.”
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