India’s 1st Goal Is To Erase The 139-Run Deficit On Day 4: Rohit Sharma

Mumbai: Team India opener Rohit Sharma said that their first goal is to erase the 139-run deficit on the fourth day of the ongoing third Test against England in Leeds. The Indian opener revealed that the team’s further batting plans would depend on several factors, including the number of remaining overs.

After two disappointing days, India bounced back on the third day of the Test with Rohit Sharma (59), Cheteshwar Pujara (91*) and Virat Kohli (45*) scoring 215 for two. Even after the end of the third day’s play, the visiting team is trailing by 139 runs.

“We are still 139-odd behind; So first we need to eliminate losses, and then lead comes into the equation. We have to plan to cover it first. Then we will have to analyse the game’s situation like how many overs are remaining, etc., and then we will plan further.”

Both Pujara and Kohli shared an unbeaten 99-run stand for the third wicket on Friday after being out of touch in their previous outings.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, India’s batting performance was the worst after being bowled out for 78 on the first day.

Reflecting on the stellar batting performance that put India on the backfoot at the start of the Test, Rohit Sharma agreed that the batsmen did poorly, correcting mistakes in the second innings.

“We batted poorly in the first innings. They (England) bowled some good, but it was definitely not a 78 pitch. We accept that we batted poorly and rectified our mistakes in the second innings, which is why we are in this position now. We made some silly mistakes while batting first, but it’s all about correcting them.”

“We batted well in three sessions today and tomorrow will be very important for us. Hopefully, the two in the middle (Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara) and the other batsmen can bat for as long as possible,” said Rohit Sharma, who scored 19 runs in the first innings.

It remains to be seen whether the visitors continue their good work on Day 4 and manage to extend the match till the last day.

With the new ball due on the fourth morning, all eyes are set on a possible Pujara Test ton, a first in nearly three years and another riveting Virat Kohli-James Anderson contest.

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