Such a quick run is never wise in Test cricket, and given only three balls were left in the day, Kohli could have avoided it, especially when the fielder was Henry.
Virat Kohli was run out on the third delivery of the 19th over via a suicidal run just before stumps to leave India in deep trouble. It was an unnecessary quick run from Kohli, who paid the price for misjudging.
Rachin Ravindra bowled a fuller-length delivery on the off-stump line, which Kohli drove in front of mid-on with slightly hard hands. He immediately called for a single and ran towards the non-striker’s end, and Shubman Gill, standing on the other point, obliged and sprinted.
However, Matt Henry, standing at mid-on, immediately reached for the ball and hit the stumps in a flash in one go. The ball hit the stumps, and Kohli, who made a full-stretch dive to save himself, was short of his crease and had to return.
Matt Henry is among the safest fielders in the world, and no single was available on that delivery; Kohli’s misjudgment provided a big breakthrough to the Kiwis, who were elated with Henry’s effort to put India in further trouble. Such a quick run is never wise in Test cricket, and given only three balls were left in the day, Kohli could have avoided it, especially when the fielder was Henry.
After Rohit Sharma departed on another low score in the seventh over, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill built a stable partnership at a good rate to keep India under control. However, Jaiswal played a rash reverse sweep and lost his wicket a few overs before the close of play.
That opened a can of worms, as New Zealand roared back into the game with more quick wickets. On the following delivery, Mohammed Siraj, the nightwatchman, lost his wicket via an LBW, and to exacerbate things, he also wasted a review.
As if it was not enough for the day, Virat Kohli was run out in the final over as India lost three wickets in nine deliveries. Both specialist batters – Jaiswal and Kohli – could have avoided their dismissals.
India are 149 runs behind and will require prudent partnerships to remain in the contest. Familiar scenes might unfold if they lose further quick wickets early tomorrow.
For more updates, follow CricXtasy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube.
