Virat Kohli passes massive statement on Rishabh Pant throwing his wicket in 2019 World Cup semi-final vs New Zealand

Virat Kohli passes massive statement on Rishabh Pant: The Indian captain was vocal about the rookie batsman’s dismissal.

India captain Virat Kohli defended rookie batsman Rishabh Pant throwing his wicket away in the first semi-final of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford. Speaking during the post-match press conference, Kohli highlighted how even he made similar mistakes in his earlier days.

“He’s [Rishabh Pant] still young. I made many errors when I was young in my career and he will learn. He will look back and think yes, he could have chosen a different option in that situation and he realizes that already,” Kohli was quoted as saying.

Virat Kohli passes massive statement on Rishabh Pant

Chasing a 240-run target, Pant had come in to bat at No. 4 in the third over. Having seen his team restricted to 5/3, Pant batted exceptionally well especially during a 47-run partnership alongside all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Known for playing the big shots, Pant had majorly controlled the urge giving priority to playing sensibly according to the situation. However, Pant lost his cool against left-arm Mitchell Santner to literally gift his wicket to the opposition. The southpaw ended up scoring 32 (56) with the help of four fours.

How many times have we seen @RishabPant777 do that?????!!!!!

The very reason he wasn’t picked initially!

Pathetic!

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 10, 2019

“He [Pant] is an instinctive player and did well to overcome that situation and stringing a partnership with Hardik [Pandya]. I think the way they played after the loss of three wickets, four wickets rather, was quite commendable. I am sure he will reflect on it and he will come out stronger,” Kohli said.

“They are the ones who suffer the most…”

Further speaking on the youngsters of the Indian team, Kohli mentioned how these players play with pride and passion and suffer the most post committing mistakes.

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“So all these guys have a lot of pride and passion to play for their country and they are the ones who feel the most disappointed when a mistake happens. From the outside it looks like it was an error but the person who makes it, trust me, they are the ones who suffer the most with it,” Kohli added.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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