Rohit Sharma reflects on batting struggles after series loss: “We didn’t bat well in the first innings”
Rohit Sharma admitted that India’s poor batting performance in the first innings of the Pune Test was the key factor in their first home series loss in 12 years. India, chasing a challenging 350 in the final innings, fell short by 113 runs, prompting discussions about declining standards against spin. While Rohit didn’t indulge in excessive criticism, he acknowledged the need to adapt and find ways to counter the spin effectively, as the visiting batters had done.
“We didn’t bat well in the first innings,” Rohit said after the defeat. “We got only 150 [156] and the batters understand that they failed to respond to that pressure and the challenge of playing on whatever pitch. The pitch wasn’t bad at all. We just didn’t play well enough to get closer to that first-inning score of theirs.”
He elaborated on how a 100-run deficit on a tricky surface made a turnaround almost impossible. Despite a promising partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, wickets fell quickly thereafter, causing the game to slip away from India’s grasp.
Adapting to spin:
Rohit admitted that the Indian batters needed to explore more scoring options against spin. He pointed to the example set by New Zealand’s batters, who used tactics like reverse sweeps and paddles to manipulate the field and relieve pressure.
“You have to look to get runs and put the bowlers under pressure,” Rohit noted. “New Zealand batters tried different things, like sweeping and reverse sweeping, and it worked well for them. It allowed them to play with a straighter bat, which we couldn’t do effectively.”
Rohit acknowledged that while sweeping and reverse sweeping are important tools, it ultimately depends on each batter’s decision in the middle to adapt to the situation. He emphasized the need to stay flexible with strategies, especially when facing unpredictable spin conditions.
On bowlers’ performance:
When asked about the performance of spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit defended the duo, saying that it was unfair to place all the expectations on their shoulders. “There is too much expectation on those two guys. Every game they play, they are expected to take wickets and win the match for us. That’s not fair,” he said.
Rohit highlighted the collective responsibility of the entire team, both in terms of batting and bowling. He credited Washington Sundar for his strong showing, while also praising Mitchell Santner’s controlled bowling that troubled the Indian batters throughout the series.
Rohit acknowledged that Ashwin and Jadeja had been central to India’s success over the last several years, but stressed that even they are allowed to have an off day or series. “They’ve been instrumental in our home streak, so I’m not going to read too much into just this series.”
Perspective on series loss:
Despite the loss, Rohit preached patience and stability, emphasizing that the team would not overhaul its approach based on one series defeat. He acknowledged the high expectations surrounding the team but pointed out that the opposition also comes prepared.
“We are not able to bat properly. So, it is allowed once in 12 years. If there were such collapses for 12 years, then we would not have been able to win. But, in India, we have a lot of expectations,” he said, urging fans and critics to keep things in perspective.
Rohit emphasized that the team has played challenging cricket in recent years, winning key series at home and abroad, and called for a measured response to the defeat. “We are sad. It is important to be sad. But, it does not mean that you have to change your entire system. We just need to change our style a little. That’s it.”