Rohit explains the two key reasons for India loss: India captain Rohit Sharma has opened up on the embarrassing loss the side suffered in the 2nd BGT Test in Adelaide.
After winning the Perth Test by 295 runs under Jasprit Bumrah’s captaincy, India’s confidence came crashing down as they were thumped by 10 wickets in Adelaide.
India were bowled out for 180 runs in their first innings after Rohit won the toss and elected to bat first as Mitchell Starc took a six-wicket haul, recording his career-best Test innings figures of 6/48.
Then Travis Head blasted a century, smashing 140 runs off 141 balls with the help of 17 fours and 4 sixes. Head’s century and Marnus Labuschagne’s half-century helped Australia finish with a first-innings lead of 157 runs.
Then, Australian captain Pat Cummins rocked back to form, picking up five wickets in India’s second innings. Starc and Scott Boland shared the other five Indian wickets as India were knocked over for only 175 runs, handing Australia a small target of 19 runs, which the openers gunned down quickly.
Rohit explains the two key reasons for India loss in the Adelaide Test:
Lacks of “30-40” extra runs in India’s first innings
Rohit believes India were “30-40” runs short in their first innings total of 180, though they conceded a deficit of 157 runs.
“When you come to Australia, I feel the best chance of winning a Test match is by putting runs on the board. We were 30-40 runs short with the bat in the first innings,” Rohit Sharma said in the post-match press conference.
The dropped catch of Travis Head
Mohammed Siraj dropped a tough chance of Travis Head when he was on 78. Head top-edged R Ashwin while attempting a slog. The ball flew over Siraj’s head as he ran back from mid-on. Siraj got some hand to it as he put in a dive but eventually spilt the catch. Rohit reckons this missed opportunity was crucial as Head went on to make 140 runs.
“Then there were opportunities when Australia were batting and we failed to take those chances [Travis Head was dropped on 78; he made 140]. And obviously when you miss those chances, it is never easy and it’s not going to be easy. The opposition will always make you pay for it and that’s what happened,” the Indian captain lamented.
With the series levelled at 1-1, the two teams will head to Brisbane, where India scripted a historic win at the Gabba in 2021. The Asian side will be looking at the third Test with fond memories of the Gabba win and aim to bounce back in the series.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for Live Updates – Facebook & Instagram.