With a one nil lead in the five match Test series, India hold the upper hand going into the third Test at Mohali. Everything went right for India after Rajkot, as they put up a dominating performance in Vizag. The batsmen got runs, spinners came to the party and the players walked back with smiles into the dressing room. For captain Virat Kohli, continuing the winning momentum into the next Test held importance. “To continue the winning momentum is definitely a challenge,” Kohli said on the eve of the Mohali Test. “It’s a challenge to repeat the same things the team has been doing for a while but I think that is what professional cricketers are picked to do and that is something that we take as a responsibility but not as a burden.
“We need to make sure we put all things in place for us to give ourselves the best chance of going out there and winning a Test match. That’s all we have done in the past couple of years and the results have been nice. We need to be aware of how we prepare and things that need to be in place for us to be ready for every game we play. This Test is going to be no different. The challenge is a tough one and all of them have lived up to it so far and it is really good to see that as a captain.”
All the focus at the nets was on Parthiv Patel who is set to replace Wriddhiman Saha. Parthiv went through his keeping and batting drills and reckoned
he felt like home joining the new mix in whites. Kohli was happy to have the ‘keeper batsman back in the side and applauded his attitude towards the game and situation in hand. “Parthiv’s attitude has been great. I don’t see any nerves. He’s played enough cricket to understand this kind of position and situation. He’s pretty excited to be back and make a mark. He’s been performing consistently in first-class cricket for the last few years. He’s guy who has experience at the Test level.
“We are pretty excited to have him back although we won't have thought about Saha getting injured at this stage. It’s a part of the game. Parthiv understands the situation he’s in. I’m pretty glad he respects that and he’s still looking forward to the opportunity and trying to make a mark. He knows when we plan to take two wicketkeepers away, this is the opportunity.”
But what kind of adjustments does the team have to do with constant changes in the playing eleven, with players coming in and out of the side? “This is something that we made pretty clear when we lost the game in Galle. After that we had a pretty clear chat that we are going to play people that we think are suitable for different venues. The team bought into it. Even with the batting order changes, we have made changes, I have gone up and down the order as well and other batsmen are keen to do it as well. I think it sends the message across that the eventual motive is for the team to win. Every player needs to buy into the idea and it makes it easier as a captain and the management group if players agree to it and they have.
“They have been pretty good with it and that’ s why if you see someone stepping in for a game or two, they take it as an opportunity and they have actually given match-winning performances. It’s not like they are taking the pressure off not knowing whether they will play the next game. It’s all about focussing on that particular game and staying in the present and it has been really wonderful to see and we just want to carry that forward.”
