Pune: India’s captain Rohit Sharma walks back after his dismissal during the first day of the second test cricket match between India and New Zealand, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in Pune, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)
New Zealand handed India their first Test series loss at home in 12 years as they gained an unassailable lead in the three-Test series on Saturday with a 113-run win in the Pune Test. It was New Zealand’s first-ever Test series win in India and Tom Latham and Co are now only the third touring side to have bested India in this century.
While the Indian skipper lamented the lack of runs put on the board, he believes the loss in Pune and during the ongoing series is a collective failure.
“It’s a collective failure. I’m not somebody who would blame just the batters or the bowlers,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
Having lost the toss and being put to bowl first, India were restricted for a mere 156 runs in response to New Zealand’s 259. Carrying a 103-run lead, New Zealand put together 255 runs in the second innings and were able to restrict India for 245 on Day 3.
“Didn’t think we batted well enough to get runs on the board. You’ve got to pick 20 wickets to win, yes, but batters have to put runs on the board. Was a great fightback to restrict them to 250-odd but we knew it was going to be challenging,” Rohit said.
“When they started off, they were 200/3 and for us to come back and get them bowled out for 259 was a great effort. Wasn’t a pitch where a lot was happening. We just didn’t bat well enough,” he added.
When asked what his expectations were from the remaining Test in the series before India tour Australia for a five Tests, Rohit said, “We want to show up well at Wankhede (Stadium) and try and win that Test. We will come out with better intent, better ideas and better methods.”
The third Test between the two teams shall begin from November 1, Friday in Mumbai.
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First uploaded on: 26-10-2024 at 16:51 IST
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