New Delhi: Despite India losing the first Test against New Zealand by a margin of eight wickets, skipper Rohit Sharma didn’t sideline the heroic innings by Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, who gave India a glimmer of hope on the fourth day. Rohit said that their innings were mature, stitching a 177-run stand for the fourth wicket during India’s second innings after a disastrous outing in the first essay.
India were skittled out for 46 on the second day of the Test – marking their lowest Test score at home, but because of Sarfaraz’s 150 and Pant’s 99, India were able to overturn the trailing of 356 runs. After the game was concluded on Sunday, Rohit indeed dissected the team’s loss, analysing what went wrong on their part but heaped massive praise on the two young batters, on the back of whom, India didn’t endure an embarrassing loss.
“When those two are batting, everyone’s on the edge of the seat because they like to play the game which has got them success. You’ve seen it over time with Rishabh, the way he bats, obviously takes a bit of risk, but I thought it was a very mature innings. He defended good balls, left few balls as well, and then, again, backed himself to play those shots, and that is what he’s all about,” Rohit told the broadcaster as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“Not to forget Sarfaraz. Sarfaraz, as well, playing in only his third or fourth Test match (fourth), to show that kind of maturity, and being very clear in his mind what kind of shots he wants to play. When you’re clear in your mind, you find yourself in good seat,” the skipper added.
A turnaround possible?
New Zealand are leading the series 1-0 in the three-Test series but Rohit is anyways confident of a comeback. It is notable that India lost the opener against England earlier this year but sealed the series 4-1.
“There are guys who have been in this place before, where we’ve lost a game. We lost a game against England in the first Test, and we won four games after that. These things happen. It’s still two Test matches to go, and we know exactly what is required from each one of us. So, we’ll try and put our best game forward,” Rohit added. The second Test of the series will start on October 24 and is scheduled at the Maharastra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
