India’s Test cricket journey has hit a rough patch, especially with their batting. In their last five Tests, India has failed to cross the 200-run mark on four occasions. The most recent struggle came in Adelaide, where India scored just 180 runs. This adds to the disappointing scores of 150 in Perth, 156 in Pune, and 46 in Bengaluru.
Captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the problem but offered context. He explained that India deliberately created challenging pitches at home to improve their game, but he admitted that the batters still needed to step up. He also emphasized the importance of first-innings runs, especially when playing away from home.
“When you come to Australia, I feel the best chance of winning a Test match is by putting runs on the board,” Rohit said after India’s 10-wicket loss on day three in Adelaide.
Key Takeaways from Rohit’s Statement
1. Short on Runs in the First Innings
Rohit admitted that India was 30-40 runs short in the first innings. When the opportunity came to pressure Australia during their innings, India dropped a crucial catch. Travis Head, dropped on 78, went on to score 140, which turned the tide of the game.
“When you miss chances, it is never easy. The opposition will always make you pay, and that’s what happened,” Rohit remarked.
2. Batting Struggles Continue at Home and Abroad
Rohit accepted responsibility for India’s home failures, stating that the difficult conditions were India’s choice. However, he pointed out that India had succeeded on overseas pitches before, as seen in the earlier matches of this series. He emphasized that his players were working on their plans and mindset.
“We accept that and agree that, when we play in India, we are trying to play in very difficult conditions and that is what we wanted. But abroad, we have to score runs. We have scored runs in the past too,” Rohit said.
3. Poor Form of Senior Batters
India’s senior batters are going through a rough phase. Rohit himself has an average of 11.83 in his last six Tests. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has an average of 26.25 in his last seven games. The pressure is on India’s top order, especially as conditions continue to favor bowlers.
“The challenges are there, but we want to battle it out and grind it out,” Rohit said, highlighting the importance of patience and perseverance in tough conditions.
He also praised KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal for their performances in Perth, where both players showed grit and determination.
4. Upcoming Challenge in Brisbane
With the series tied 1-1, India now faces the challenge of playing in Brisbane, a venue known for its fast and bouncy pitch. The conditions will be testing, and India’s batters must rise to the occasion.
“We have to leave the baggage of previous innings and start fresh,” Rohit said, urging his team to maintain a positive approach.
Bowling Dilemmas and Player Selection
India’s bowling attack has revolved around Jasprit Bumrah, the series’ top wicket-taker with 12 wickets at an average of 11.25. However, relying on one bowler is risky, especially when support bowlers struggle.
In the Adelaide Test, Harshit Rana was under pressure, conceding 86 runs in 16 overs at an economy of 5.37. Some critics questioned whether India should have picked Akash Deep instead. But Rohit defended Rana, saying players should not be dropped after just one poor performance.
“Rana didn’t do anything wrong in the first Test. He got crucial breakthroughs, and I believe players shouldn’t be dropped after one game,” Rohit said.
This statement highlights India’s approach to player development, focusing on giving players confidence and backing them to perform.
What’s Next for India?
The series is currently tied 1-1, and with the next Test in Brisbane, the pressure is on India’s batters to deliver. The conditions will be tough, but Rohit believes his team can rise to the challenge by grinding out runs and backing each other.
India’s fans will be hoping for better performances from the senior batters, especially Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been struggling for form. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at stake, every run, every catch, and every missed chance will matter.
Final Thought
Rohit Sharma’s candid assessment of India’s batting woes reflects a captain aware of his team’s flaws but also confident in their ability to bounce back. With tough matches ahead, India’s batters need to find their form, and the bowlers must support Jasprit Bumrah to keep the team competitive.
If India can improve their first-innings totals and convert opportunities into wickets, they’ll have a stronger chance of claiming the series win.
FAQs
1. Why did Rohit Sharma say “We were not good enough with the bat”?
Rohit Sharma made this statement after India’s poor first-innings performance in the Adelaide Test, where they scored just 180 runs. He acknowledged that 30-40 more runs could have made a difference in the game.
2. Why are India’s batters struggling in Test cricket?
India’s batters have been struggling to score runs due to challenging conditions at home and abroad. Even in home conditions, India has created difficult pitches to improve their game. However, runs from senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been hard to come by recently.
3. Who is Harshit Rana, and why was he picked over Akash Deep?
Harshit Rana is a bowler who was picked for the Adelaide Test. Despite a below-average performance in the match, Rohit Sharma defended the decision, saying Rana performed well in the previous match and shouldn’t be dropped after one bad game.
4. What are India’s next challenges in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
The next Test is in Brisbane, a venue known for its fast and bouncy pitch. India must tackle these conditions while also dealing with pressure on their senior players to improve their form.
5. What changes can we expect in India’s playing XI for Brisbane?
While India may consider changes, Rohit Sharma suggested they would not drop players based on a single performance. However, if conditions demand it, changes in the bowling attack could be possible.