India skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that they were not good enough after losing the first Test to South Africa by an innings and 32 runs inside three days at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
At the close of play on Day 2, the Proteas had 256/5 on the board in reply to India’s first innings total of 245, courtesy of opener Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 140.
On the third day, the hosts took their first innings total to 408/10, extending the lead to a massive 163 runs. While Elgar added 45 more runs to the overnight tally, Marco Jansen played a brilliant knock of 84.
In the second innings, the Indian batting line-up was blown away by the South African pacers. Only Virat Kohli (76) managed to put up a fight as the visitors were bowled out for a mere 131 in 34.1 overs.
“We were not good enough to win. Having been put into bat, KL batted well to get us that score but then we didn't exploit the conditions with the ball and then again didn't show up today with the bat. If we have to win Test matches, we have to come together collectively and we didn't do that,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Guys have come here before, we know what to expect and everyone has their own plan. Our batters were challenged and we didn't adapt well. This is a boundary scoring ground, we saw them score many but we need to understand the opposition and their strengths as well. We didn't bat well in both innings, that's why we stand here,” he added.
Rohit Sharma refrained from being too critical of his team as some players are playing Test cricket in South Africa for the first time.
“Not too many positives to finish the game within 3 days, but KL showed what we need to do on this sort of pitch. Our bowlers, a lot of these guys haven't been here before so I don't want to be too critical. Important for us to regroup, we go through these times as sportsmen and we need to be ready for the next Test now,” he concluded.
With this heavy defeat, India conceded an unbeatable 1-0 lead to South Africa in the two-match Test series. The second and final Test will be played in Cape Town from January 3 to January 7.
