Twitter credits Virat Kohli on changing Rohit Sharma’s mind about taking new ball
News Update December 29, 2024 05:24 PM

Having a strong leadership unit, especially with players who have more than a decade of experience, is a luxury that most teams lack. However, for India, it came as a boon with Virat Kohli convincing Rohit Sharma to opt for the new ball, one delivery after the captain had rejected the idea.

Boosted by Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden century, India came out of the box flying for the second innings of the Boxing Day Test. The visitors had hosts on the ropes at 91/6 and were looking at a target of close to 250. However, Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins put together a 57 run partnership to bring Australia back into the game. At 173/9, India looked like they had a proper chase on their hands but Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon stitched together an unbeaten 55-run stand at stumps on Day 4.

During the partnership, Australia went past the 80-over mark yet again in the series which gave India the option of opting for the new ball. Rohit, however, decided against it stating, “New ball leke fayda nahi hai. Ab kal hi lenge (There is no point of taking the new ball. We will take it tomorrow).” One ball in though, Virat Kohli was seen having a word with his skipper and making a case for the new ball to be taken.

Not only did Rohit concede and opt for the new ball, India even claimed Lyon’s wicket, albeit on a no ball. Twitter picked up on the exchange and jumped on to provide their views.

New ball decision was influenced

Hide

Correct

No third man

Need to learn

I know

Not comfortable at all

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