Team India registered a 1-0 series victory over West Indies after the fifth and final day of the second Test got washed out due to incessant rain at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.
In what was their first assignment in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle, the tourists needed eight wickets on Day 5 to complete a 2-0 whitewash. However, rain came as a lucky escape for the hosts, who were 76/2 at stumps on the penultimate day in the chase of 365.
Although India skipper Rohit Sharma rued the inclement weather, he expressed satisfaction about how his team played in the series.
“Every win is different. Playing in WI has its own challenge. Happy with the way things went. We gave it a good shot, unfortunately we couldn't get any play today. We actually went out with a positive intent yesterday. Rain had its final say. We were quite confident. You know how difficult it is batting last. We always wanted that kind of score where we wanted the opposition to go for it. There wasn't much on the surface. No play today, unfortunate for us,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
The captain was effusive in praise of pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj, who earned the Player-of-the-Match award for his career-best figures of 5/60 in the second Test.
“Siraj, I have been watching him closely. He's taken such a giant step. He has led this attack. I don't want anyone to lead the attack. I want everyone to lead when they are having the ball in their hand. You want the entire pace battery taking the responsibility,” he added.
Rohit also praised Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli’s exploits with the bat in Port of Spain. While Kishan smashed his maiden Test fifty (52* off 34) in the second innings, Kohli hit his 29th ton (121) in the longest format during India’s first essay.
“You need guys like Ishan (Kishan). We wanted quick runs, we promoted him, he wasn't afraid. He was the first one to put his hand up. In Test matches, you need guys who stabilise the innings like what Virat (Kohli) did, he played superbly. You need the mixture of everything. We have depth, we have got variety. We are in the right place. It's about getting the job done,” Rohit remarked.
“I always believe in getting better as a team. I said after the World Test Championship final as well. We've played consistent cricket. That's what we are looking at. We want to focus on all three aspects of the game. We need to be a good fielding unit. Bowlers - how they respond under pressure. What sort of mindset batters go in with under challenging conditions. That's what I am looking forward to,” he concluded.
The two teams will now square off in a three-match ODI series, starting July 27 in Barbados.