Rohit Sharma has made it clear that a brief spell of “bad cricket” will not define the Indian cricket team, stating that it would be unjust to evaluate his players based on their performance during that period. Following India’s eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the first Test, Rohit expressed, “I won’t dwell too much on this match because those three hours [when India was bowled out for just 46 runs] do not reflect the essence of this team.” He emphasized that despite the setback, there were numerous positive aspects to take away from the match.
The Indian captain highlighted the importance of maintaining a consistent message within the squad: “Whenever we face pressure, we must find ways to regain our footing in the game, and that’s something we have discussed extensively.” He acknowledged the team’s impressive comeback in their second innings, where Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal set a solid foundation, followed by a strong partnership between Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan. Although India ultimately fell short, Rohit took pride in their fighting spirit.
“It was an exceptional effort, especially considering we were trailing in the match. It’s easy to let the game slip away, but that’s not the spirit of this team. We aim to stay competitive and not hand over an easy victory to the opposition. After the first day, when we were bowled out for 46, the start of the second day was crucial for us to prevent the opposition from extending their lead too far,” he explained.
Rohit noted that the partnership between New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee initially set India back further than anticipated. However, the Indian batsmen’s aggressive approach in the second innings gave a sense of optimism, with Rohit expressing pride in their mindset. “When the players exhibit such determination at the crease, it indicates a clear intent to play freely and put pressure back on the opponents. Overall, aside from those initial hours, I believe we played commendable Test cricket.”
The captain pointed out not only the runs scored but also the aggressive manner in which they were accumulated, with India scoring at nearly four runs per over throughout their innings. The partnership between Sarfaraz and Rishabh Pant was particularly notable, adding 177 runs for the fourth wicket off 211 balls, with Sarfaraz scoring 150 and Pant contributing 99.
Rohit reiterated that the team would not alter their aggressive approach, regardless of the match situation. “When we find ourselves behind, that’s the moment to intensify our efforts and make an impact, showing the opposition that we’re under pressure. When you’re behind, you want to attempt extraordinary things and play without fear. It’s one thing to discuss it, but we demonstrated that fearless spirit during our innings.”
He added, “Regardless of whether we are ahead or behind in the match, our attitude will remain unchanged. Even when trailing, our focus will be on how to apply pressure to the opposition. Recent Test matches illustrate my point, and that’s our approach moving forward.”
India’s strategy of deploying three spinners—Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja—didn’t yield the expected results, with the trio failing to penetrate the New Zealand batting line-up. Rohit acknowledged that Ravindra’s performance was pivotal, stating, “In the first innings, our spinners did their utmost to exploit the pitch. However, Rachin played exceptionally well and adapted effectively to our strategies, which is commendable.”
Rohit noted that it’s not uncommon for visiting players to excel against India’s spin attack, referencing previous matches against England where batters scored heavily. “Any team coming to India is keen to apply pressure on our bowlers through various tactics. We understand our responsibilities when we face such challenges,” he concluded.
With a focus on resilience and a determined mindset, Rohit and his team aim to bounce back in the upcoming Tests, retaining their aggressive playing style irrespective of match circumstances.
