inesh Karthik, ahead of the Reserve Day of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final, has said that India should make sure to at least draw the match versus New Zealand.
Karthik, who is also part of the elite commentary panel for the historic match, added that playing “clever” cricket in the first session and not losing wickets will be key for India. He warned that making a come back after losing quick wickets will be impossible for Kohli’s team.
“We have to make one thing sure, the least we could do is draw the game and then you have the chance to push for victory. If you go too hard initially and lose a few wickets, there is no way we are coming back in this game. What is important that we play cleverly in first hour and then we can put pressure in the backend of the first session,” Karthik said on Twitter Spaces.
Further, the wicketkeeper-batsman said that India might opt to promote Rishabh Pant for some quick runs on the final day. The Tamil Nadu cricketer said that southpaw Ravindra Jadeja can also be India’s X-factor to put pressure on New Zealand.
“Yes, even I think that’s a very good probability because he plays at a speed which not others in this line-up can. So, him and Jadeja will be the X-factor India could use but the key is that India doesn’t lose a wicket in the first hour, that is very important.
The Test match is heading towards a draw, however, some quick runs from India batsmen can make the final sessions of the match quite interesting.
