New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson did not reveal he will be playing for his side but stressed that the first inning total is vital in a pre-Test press conference.
The Black Caps are facing India for the final Test at Hokar Cricket Stadium, Indore with the series already being wrapped up by the hosts. However, both sides want to win the final rubber with consolation victory for the tourists and number one Test rankings on the line for India.
The best batsman of New Zealand, Williamson was ruled out from the Kolkata Test due to illness but he was seen in the practice sessions at Indore. He insisted that you can build on the game peacefully in the opening innings while you are in hurry in the second innings.
The 26-year-old gave an example of the previous two Tests and clarified that the opening innings of each Test were very important. He insisted that the batting becomes difficult in the second innings.
Williamson reflected in the press conference, “It has shown in the first innings of each Test match that the first innings has been the most vital as batting has got harder as the game has gone on. We’ll still need to have another look at the surface here but were are still expecting the first innings to be important again.”
The captain also insisted that in the opening two Tests, if his side posted 50 to 100 more runs in the opening innings, it would have helped them a lot. He commented further, “But certainly the last two games if we could have pushed up our first-innings total that little bit further, it would have helped us out a huge amount.”
The Indian captain Virat Kohli, on the other hand, stressed that he has learnt how to deal with sessions which are not going to their favour. He insisted that when your side is taking wickets, you can go on attack mode. However, he stated that if the side is not taking wickets, then our focus is to apply pressure and restrict the runs.
In the case when the opponents are playing good with the bat, Kohli insisted that the side focuses on restricting runs.India has restricted the Kiwis to a low tally with just four bowlers. Their star bowler Mohammad Shami grabbed eight wickets at an amazing average of 21.12. The skipper praised him a lot.Currently, the Kiwis are in-roads at the Holkar Cricket Stadium. They grabbed two wickets crucial wickets of Indian openers by Lunch. India is standing on 75 for 2 with Virat Kohli and Pujara on the pitch.
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