Rohit Sharma was a dejected captain as India suffered a dramatic collapse to lose the Boxing Day Test against Australia by 184 runs on Monday (December 30).
Chasing 340, India found themselves reeling at 33/3 in the first session, with Rohit Sharma (9), KL Rahul (0) and Virat Kohli (5) falling cheaply. Subsequently, the duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant added 88 runs for the fourth wicket.
Travis Head broke the partnership by removing Pant on 30. The wicketkeeper-batter’s dismissal triggered a collapse as the visitors lost the remaining six wickets for just 34 runs to get bowled out for a paltry 155 in 79.1 overs.
Jaiswal waged a lone battle with the bat, scoring 84 off 208 balls. Apart from him and Pant, no one in the Indian line-up managed to reach the double figures.
“Pretty disappointing. Not that we went with the intent of not putting up a fight, we wanted to fight till the end but unfortunately couldn't do it. It will be tough to assess just the last session,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Australia were struggling at 90/6 in their second innings with the overall lead yet to touch 200 but managed to stretch their lead to 339.
Rohit admitted that his team could not exploit the favourable situation. “We have to look at the overall Test match, we had our opportunities, we had our chances, but we didn't take them and we let Australia come back into the game when we had them 90/6. I know things can get difficult but that is what we are here for, we wanted to be in tough situations and play hard cricket, I just don't want to look at one incident in the game.”
“I went back to my room and thought about it, what else we could have done as a team but we tried everything we could, we threw everything we had but they fought hard with the last wicket partnership, we had our chances and we didn't grab them, probably cost us the game little bit there.”
The Indian skipper said the team wanted to have a go at the target despite its daunting nature.
“We know 340 wasn't going to be easy for us. We tried everything we could, if we have wickets in the final two sessions then we could go for the target, but they bowled really well. We wanted to set the platform but that didn't happen. There are ways to win games and we are falling short,” he remarked.
Rohit lauded Nitish Kumar Reddy for his stunning hundred in the first innings, and hoped the youngster will climb the ladder.
“He is coming here for the first time, these conditions can get tough but he has shown lot of character and fight, showed solid technique as well. He has bright future ahead of him and he has all the skills to be successful," the captain stated.
Rohit also appreciated ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah for leading the Indian bowling attack almost singlehandedly.
“We know the quality of him, we have been watching him for a number of years now, coming here and getting the job done for the team, he is not a statistical person, wants to just come out there and play for the country, that is what he has been doing on this tour, unfortunately he needs little more support from the other side as well. The way he has managed himself is outstanding,” he concluded.
