'Box office kind of review' - Twitter lauds Rishabh Pant as he insists Virat Kohli to take a succesful review

India and England kickstarted their WTC 2 campaigns on August 4, with the first Test of the five-match Pataudi Trophy in Nottingham. Losing their 7th consecutive toss in England, Virat Kohli’s India was asked to bowl. At the toss, the selection choices of both the teams were enough to turn the heads as India preferred Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj in a four-pronged pace attack, with both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma missing.

Surprised is how even England left a few as they fielded an XI without any designated spinner, only relying on the part-timer Joe Root and all-rounder Dan Lawrence. England did not have the most ideal start, with Jasprit Bumrah nicely setting up Rory Burns with an inswinger that rapped him on the pads, after some perfectly curated outswingers.

Rishabh Pant insists Virat Kohli for the review

England had a few nervy moments towards the fag end of the first session when India vehemently appealed and reviewed a decision against Zak Crawley, which did not fall in their favour. It seemed a rushed call from the team based on instinct, as the Crawley survived with the ball missing both the stumps and the inside edge by a fair margin. However, the notable sight arrived in the same over when a similar delivery was reviewed by Virat Kohli after being convinced by Rishabh Pant, who does not have the best of reputations when it comes to DRS.

Siraj’s delivery rose from a length and jagged back in before brushing off Crawley’s inside edge, then hitting on the pads, before being taken by Pant behind. On India’s review, the UltraEdge revealed a clear spike as Siraj got his maiden wicket in England, while India got their second. After an unsuccessful review only moments ago, skipper Kohli was highly hesitant to go for it the second time, as he was seen consulting the bowlers and fielders close by. Although, Pant insistence meant that the skipper had to eventually challenge the on-field call that fell in India’s favour.

England went to Lunch with 61/2 after 25 overs, with Joe Root and Dom Sibley in the middle.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: