India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, was confident that the Rohit Sharma-led unit would not give up the game like that, as they are a fighting group.
“It is a fighting group and they will not fall like this,” Morkel said in the press conference at the end of Day 2 in the Pune Test between India and New Zealand on October 25 (Friday).
“We have to believe..this is a funny game. It's going to be a tough task. When conditions are tricky and tough, you'll see real people fight. Excited to see how they bounce back,” added the former Proteas fast bowler.
Praising Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand spinner who finished with figures of 7/53 as India were bowled out for 156 in their first innings, Morkel said, “The pace at which Santner bowled today was spot on.”
The 40-year-old who oversaw India’s series win against Bangladesh as his maiden assignment with the Men in Blue, said that he and the team had different hopes from Day 2 of the Test.
“Arriving here 1-0, we were confident that we would bat big but it just didn't happen,” he said.
Lauding the New Zealand batters’ ply against the Indian spinners, Morkel said, "They are sweeping well, reverse sweeping well. I am not surprised by the way they are playing.”
Talking about the remaining three days of the Test and how India could come into play, the big six-footer said, “Today was a tough day. We were on the back foot again trying to get NZ out. Ash wanted to get the team back into the game, same with Bumrah. Washi bowled well. Hopefully, we can regroup and come up with a game plan.”
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