"Deep Down, Rohit Sharma Is...": Ravi Shastri Reveals Captain's Mentality After NZ Series Loss
Shastri further noted that Rohit’s seemingly relaxed body language does not reflect his inner feelings. "Deep down, he’ll be hurting and hurting big. Not just with him but with every Indian player in that dressing room," he added, highlighting the collective disappointment within the squad.
Rohit Sharma's captaincy and performance have come under intense scrutiny following India's recent Test series defeat to New Zealand. Former India coach Ravi Shastri weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that Rohit is too proud to dismiss the loss lightly. This series marked India's first home Test series defeat since 2012, a significant setback for the team under Rohit's leadership.
After India lost the second Test, Rohit suggested celebrating the team's impressive 12-year streak of home dominance instead of fixating on the negative aspects of the recent series loss. However, Shastri believes that Rohit won't simply rest on his past successes; he will be deeply affected by the defeat. "Rohit Sharma is a proud man. He will not take it lightly. Let me assure you of that," Shastri remarked during the commentary of the second Test.
Shastri further noted that Rohit’s seemingly relaxed body language does not reflect his inner feelings. "Deep down, he’ll be hurting and hurting big. Not just with him but with every Indian player in that dressing room," he added, highlighting the collective disappointment within the squad.
Rohit’s captaincy decisions, particularly opting to bat first after an entire day of play was washed out during the first Test, faced significant criticism. Additionally, his performance at the crease has been questioned, as he managed only 62 runs across four innings during the series.
Despite the loss, Rohit attempted to downplay the significance of the defeat during the post-match press conference. "Just because we have lost a series, I don't think there is anything that we need to talk differently or do differently. But yeah, we need to find ways to come out of those situations," he stated.
He further emphasized the need for calmness and constructive discussions within the team, saying, "You don't need to overreact. But you need to have a quiet chat with certain individuals and let them know where they are at and what, as a team, we require from them."
India is set to face New Zealand in the final Test of the series on Friday, November 1, with hopes of bouncing back from the earlier defeats.
