Pink-ball Test: Punam Raut did the right thing by walking, her gesture instinctive – WV Raman

Former India women’s team coach WV Raman lauded Punam Raut’s gesture of walking during Day 2 of the historic pink-ball Test against Australia but stressed he would not question the senior batter if she doesn’t do so in a similar situation in the future.

WV Raman said waking is an instinctive call much-like heated moments in the game and a player doesn’t plan the gesture in advance.Raman’s comments came after Punam Raut walked despite the on-field umpire turning down Australia’s appeal for a caught behind on Friday in Gold Coast. Punam’s gesture sparked the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ debate on an intriguing day of play in the pink ball Test which was curtailed by rain for the 2nd successive day.”These are things that happen instinctively. I am glad she did that because she is the senior-most cricketer. She is really experienced. We need things like these to happen because it keeps the sanctity of the game intact,” Raman told Sony Sports.”In the future, if she doesn’t walk, people are going to really talk about that also. The other thing is, in the future, if a situation like this comes where she has to retain her place, will she walk in a similar situation? That is something that we will have to look at.”Even then, even if she doesn’t walk in the future, I will maintain a lot of people might say a lot of different things then, I will say it happens instinctively. On this occasion, she walked off, that’s about it. I don’t think she planned for it, she did it to gain any sort of brownie points,” Raman added.She has not committed any crime: RamanWV Raman said there is no need to discuss the timing of Punam’s decision to walk as it is irrelevant. Notably, the 31-year-old was involved in a handy stand with captain Mithali Raj as Australia were trying to put more pressure on India after having picked up the wicket of centurion Smriti Mandhana. The second new-ball was also due to Australia who delayed it and eventually had Punam’s wicket in Sophie Molineux’s over.”This is something that has happened instinctively like how things happen in the heat of the moment.I think she did the right thing by walking. It doesn’t matter which situation she did it. If it’s the right thing to do, she should do it in any circumstance. When you have to walk, you walk, that’s what I would say.”It’s a good thing to do. She has not committed any crime. She has done something that should be appreciated. That’s about it as far as I am concerned.”India went to Stumps on Day 2 at 276 for 5 as most of the 2nd and 3rd sessions were washed out due to rain. Earlier, Smriti Mandhana hit her maiden Test hundred to lead India’s charge in the pink-ball Test.