Page 48 - The Indian EYE 021221

SPORTS February 12, 2021 | The Indian Eye 48

england in india

india look all set to bounce

back after massive defeat in first test

Rahane defends Rohit Sharma and Pujara’s playing style and said his role is very important and crucial for the Indian team

Our Bureau
Chennai

he second Test between
India and England, which
Tgets underway on Satur-
day at the MA Chidambaram
Stadium in Chennai, will see the
return of fans in the stadium af-
ter a more than 11-month hiatus
due to the coronavirus pandem-
ic. The second Test will have 50
per cent crowd in attendance,
the Tamil Nadu Cricket Associa-
tion (TNCA) secretary had con-
firmed last week.
England’s winning start
against India in their ICC World
Test Championship series has
kept alive the visiting side’s hopes
of making the final of the nine-
team competition. The victory
at the MA Chidambaram Stadi-
um in Chennai on Tuesday lifted
England to first place and 70.2
percentage points on the points India will be looking forward to levelling the series after losing the first Test
table and they’ve improved their
chances of securing one of the Rahane on Friday said that approach during the Australia ing right now. His role very im-
three series results in their fa- one or two bad games don’t de- tour but Rahane backed the portant for us and we back him
vour that could see them through fine Rohit’s form. The vice-cap- batsman and said Pujara knows completely on how he wants to
to the final - 3-1, 3-0 or 4-0. tain praised Rohit and said ev- his role and game. play. He knows his game really
India, who have slipped to eryone knows that he can score Pujara registered his slowest well. he has played 80 odd Test
the fourth position with 68.3 some big runs once he is set. fifty in Test cricket during the matches. No one questioned his
percentage points, cannot afford Rohit (Sharma) is an important third Test against Australia and ability or how he played in Aus-
another loss in the four-match member of our team. A big score Ponting had said the batsman’s tralia,” said Rahane while reply-
series and will be looking to win doesn’t imply that you have to slow batting created an unwant- ing to a query from ANI during
at least two of the remaining score a century or 150. He made ed pressure on the non-striker the virtual press conference.
three matches to secure a 2-1 or important contributions in Aus- who had to compensate for his India all-rounder Axar Patel
3-1 result and a place in the final. tralia. You can’t judge a player slow approach. has recovered completely and is
The second Test will be over 4-6 innings or one or two Rahane also backed Pujara’s now available for selection for
played in Chennai at the MA matches,” said Rahane during playing style and said his role is the second Test.
Chidambaram Stadium before the virtual press conference. very important and crucial for “Everyone is in the mix, the
the cricketers move to Ahmed- “You need to back your the Indian team. good thing is Axar is fit to play.
abad for the third and fourth Test. players and Rohit is the kind of “No one questioned his ap- See all our spinners are really
Before the Test, questions cricketer who has won matches proach (slow) about his batting good and if given a chance I’m
were raised over Rohit Sharma’s for India. We know when Rohit in the team and that’s what mat- sure they will do really well,”
form after he scored six and gets set he scores big. We’re re- ters. What people talk outside said Rahane.
12 runs in the first Test match ally happy to have Rohit in the doesn’t matter to us. We know The wicket during the first
against England but India Test team,” he added. Pujara’s role and how crucial he Test against England did not of-
vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane Former cricketers including is for our team and we are really fer much assistance to the spin-
has backed the opener to come Ricky Ponting had also ques- happy with the way he played in ners but India Test vice-captain
good in upcoming games. tioned Cheteshwar Pujara’s slow Australia and the way he is play- Continued on next page... >>

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