Despite their loss in the first test against South Africa in Centurion Park, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma backed their defeat and hopes to secure victory in the second test match.
Rohit Sharma on defeat in 1st SA Test
India has suffered a defeat in the first test against Proteas Men on India’s South Africa tour by an innings and 32 runs. The Indian skipper has made his appearance in the South Africa test for the first time after India’s World Cup loss.
He joined the squad for the test series against South Africa to overcome the World Cup loss. He saw the test series as the challenge he required for him to heal from the defeat at Narendra Modi Stadium.
After losing the toss, India was forced to bat first where they scored 245 runs in the first innings. KL Rahul scored a ton and became the batter to score multiple centuries overseas. But South Africa’s Dean Elgar was exceptionally impressive as he scored 185 runs in the match and helped the side to score 408 runs.
After starting the second innings, India was folded for 131 runs in the second innings and lost the match.
While speaking at the post-match conference, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said, “We were not good enough to win. Having been put into bat, KL batted well to get us that score but then we didn’t exploit the conditions with the ball and then again didn’t show up today with the bat.”
“If we have to win Test matches, we have to come together collectively and we didn’t do that. Guys have come here before, we know what to expect and everyone has their own plan.”
“Our batters were challenged and we didn’t adapt well. This is a boundary-scoring ground, we saw them score many but we need to understand the opposition and their strengths as well.”
“We didn’t bat well in both innings, that’s why we stand here. Not too many positives to finish the game within 3 days, but KL showed what we need to do on this sort of pitch.”
“Our bowlers, a lot of these guys haven’t been here before so I don’t want to be too critical. Important for us to regroup, we go through these times as sportsmen and we need to be ready for the next Test now,” he concluded.
Despite losing their first test, India will be playing their second test against Proteas men starting on January 03, 2024, at Newlands Cricket Ground.
