India batting coach Vikram Rathour said that a first innings score of 250 plus will be a good score in these prevailing conditions and will put India in a fighting position against New Zealand in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final in Southampton.
India were 146 for 3, when the umpires called off the days play, citing bad lights. At the stumps, Virat Kohli was batting on 44 in the company of Ajinkya Rahane 29.
The batting coach lauded openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma for seeing off the new ball in an admirable manner as they played positively to add 62 runs.
Asked if taking stance outside the crease was to counter swing or play more attacking shots, Rathour said, “Batting is about scoring runs. Rohit and Gill showed a lot of intent and looked to score wherever they can.
“Hats off to Virat and Rahane for the manner in which they batted but a lot of credit should also got to the openers.”
Rathour also brushed aside assertions that Cheteshwar Pujara is facing some technical problems as he has now been hit at least four times on the helmet in recent Test matches.
“We are not really concerned and he is a good player. I don”t think pace is an issue with him. Till he batted, he looked solid and he has a role to play in the team.”Today also, he played 50 odd balls. He just needs to convert those starts. It”s going to happen very soon,” he signed off.
