‘We’ve to stay positive and take a leaf out of the Indian batters’ – Luke Ronchi on New Zealand’s quest to win Kanpur Test

New Zealand fielding coach Luke Ronchi reckoned that the Kiwis have every chance of chasing the target of 284 down and win the opening Test against India at Green Park in Kanpur. At the fag end of the fourth day’s play, Ravi Ashwin got rid of first-inning’s half-centurion Will Young and the Kiwis needed 280 runs at the start of Day five with nine wickets left in the shed.

Tom Latham and night-watchman William Somerville were the overnight batters at the close of play on the penultimate day of the Test. Ronchi stated that the Black Caps can take inspiration from India’s batting and not allow negative mindset to settle in during the run-chase. The veteran also lauded the hosts’ batters for playing with a lot of intent in the game.

I think all three results are possible, says Luke Ronchi

“If we bat with some good intent there and sort of make the most of the opportunities to score them, then we certainly believe we can chase it down,” Ronchi was quoted as saying in the press conference after Day four.

“We’ve to stay positive and take a leaf out of the Indian batters and the way they played, and applied themselves,” he stated.

“There was positivity in their footwork and scoring options. That’s what we need to do as well and bring that momentum in our favour and then hopefully through the game the more you do it, the low the total becomes,” Ronchi said.

Moreover, Ronchi, also a former New Zealand wicketkeeper, in the meantime, felt that Day five has plenty to offer since all three results in the match are on the cards.

“Obviously, it was quite difficult for us to take wickets and put a bit of pressure on their batters but then leading into tomorrow, I think all three results are possible,” he added.

In their second innings, India found themselves in a bit of trouble after being reduced to 51 for five in 19.4 overs. However, half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha guided them to safer shores. Ravi Ashwin and Axar Patel also chipped in with cameos of 32 and 28 respectively.