The second and final Test between India and South Africa is all set to get underway on January 3 at Newlands, Cape Town.
Having lost the Boxing Day Test by an innings and 32 runs, the visitors have already conceded an unassailable 1-0 lead to Australia in the two-match series.
On the eve of the New Year’s Test, skipper Rohit Sharma addressed a press conference, where he was asked about India falling behind South Africa in the first innings at Centurion.
In reply, Rohit said: "Agar aap peeche bhi rehte ho, aap Kitna peeche rehte ho that is important. We were almost 160 behind. In these kinds of wickets that is a lot. The total that we put up was good. 245 on that pitch. When they were stitching the stand, we wanted to let them go too far ahead. You always need to find a way into the game. We need to show application.. We have seen in the past too that India we can do well after falling behind."
Rohit was also asked about India’s team combination for the second Test. There have been speculations that Mukesh Kumar might replace Prasidh Krishna in the playing XI.
Barrin Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace attack looked pedestrian in the opening Test against South Africa. Prasidh, who made his Test debut in Centurion, leaked 93 runs in 19 overs and managed to claim only one wicket.
“Although we've had a brief chat with the management, the coaching staff, what we want from this game and what we want from the bowlers in this game, we've not completely finalised our playing XI. Obviously, everyone is available for selection. There's no injury concern. All of them who are here are available to play. We'll sit down in the evening,” Rohit said.
The Indian captain further added that although the bowling attack lacks experience, the players need to be backed by the team management.
“I still feel that sometimes we've got a little bit of inexperience in our bowling and sometimes when you have that, you got to show some faith in them. Show trust in them and that can happen to any team. But obviously for us, like I said in the last post match press conference about Prasidh being playing his first game, we all get nervous when you're playing your first game. It's understandable,” Rohit remarked.
“I'll still back that thought of mine, saying that he's got good ability to succeed at this level and especially in this format. So it's just about showing faith and trust in everyone and getting the job done from them.”
