Rohit Sharma 'Hurt' but Dismisses WTC Final Concerns After Series Loss to New Zealand
"It's too early to think about WTC. I'm just hurting because we lost the game; that is what I will say. I can't think about what lies ahead and let it affect our chances," Rohit stated. He acknowledged the need for improvement, stressing that the team's failures were collective: "We didn't play well enough in these two games, and it's hurting. There are things that we need to do as a unit, not just as batters but also as bowlers."
India's impressive home Test record came to an abrupt end with a 113-run defeat to New Zealand in Pune, marking their first home series loss in 12 years. The defeat highlighted India's struggles against quality spin, particularly from Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets across the two innings, including a staggering seven in the first innings. This loss also allowed New Zealand to secure their first series victory on Indian soil in nearly 70 years.
This defeat marks only the fourth home series loss for India since 2000, emphasizing New Zealand's significant achievement. Although India still leads the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with 98 points, their win percentage has dropped to 62.82%, allowing Australia to close in on the top spot. The recent downturn in form has reignited concerns about India's lineup's susceptibility to left-arm spin and their overall preparedness against top-quality spin bowling.
Rohit on WTC Final
In the post-match press conference, captain Rohit Sharma addressed questions regarding concerns about India’s position in the WTC final following consecutive home losses. However, Rohit emphasized that the team was more affected by the series defeat itself than any implications for the WTC. With six Tests remaining in the current cycle, including five in Australia, he insisted that the focus must remain on immediate challenges.
"It's too early to think about WTC. I'm just hurting because we lost the game; that is what I will say. I can't think about what lies ahead and let it affect our chances," Rohit stated. He acknowledged the need for improvement, stressing that the team's failures were collective: "We didn't play well enough in these two games, and it's hurting. There are things that we need to do as a unit, not just as batters but also as bowlers."
Rohit also reflected on the nature of wins and losses in Test cricket, noting, "When you win a Test, everyone deserves credit. When you lose, everyone takes the blame."
India's bowling attack managed to dismiss New Zealand for 259 in their first innings, but the batting collapse to just 156 put the hosts on the back foot. New Zealand's second innings saw them score 255, leaving India with a daunting target that proved too steep, culminating in their defeat. The Indian team will need to regroup and address these challenges as they prepare for their upcoming matches.
