Rohit Sharma was an elated captain as India humiliated Australia by an innings and 132 runs in Nagpur to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match Test series.
On the back of Rohit’s glorious 120 and half-centuries from Akshar Patel (87) and Ravindra Jadeja (70), the hosts piled up 400 in their first innings, taking a massive lead of 223 runs.
In their second innings, the Australian batters once again failed to tackle the Indian spinners as the visitors got bowled out for a paltry 91 in just 32.3 overs.
R Ashwin starred with the ball, claiming a five-wicket haul (5/37) to script the home team’s win inside three days.
Speaking after the game, Rohit expressed satisfaction over his performance, having missed quite a few Test matches due to injuries in the last couple of years.
“Very important at the start of the series. Happy that I could put the performance for the team. Was unfortunate that I had to miss few Tests because of injuries but I'm happy to be back. Since I was appointed Test captain, have played just two Tests. Got Covid in England, missed South Africa, got a freak injury against Bangladesh. Was ready for this one,” the Indian skipper said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“The last few years, the kind of pitches we are playing in India, you need to have application and some sort of plan to score runs. I've grown up playing a lot in Mumbai on surfaces that turns a lot. You need to be slightly unorthodox as well, use your feet. Need to put pressure on bowlers as well by doing something different. And that different could be whatever suits you - using your feet, sweeping, reverse-sweeping,” he added.
Rohit praised the Indian pacers for their stunning display on a spin-friendly track. The duo of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami put the tourists on the backfoot by removing opening batters Usman Khawaja (1) and David Warner (1) cheaply on Day 1.
“It was the first two overs from the seamers. Starting a game like that, you're in the ascendancy. Opposition is under pressure from there. We know we have quality in our spin department. But the seamers can be threatening as well on a pitch like that,” the captain stated.
The second Test is due to be held in Delhi from February 17.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
