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'Didn't Respond To Challenges': Rohit Sharma Blames Batting Failure For Series Loss Vs NZ

Akshita Patel

Rohit Sharma disappointed with India's series loss vs NZ (@CricCrazyJohns/X.com)Rohit Sharma disappointed with India's series loss vs NZ (@CricCrazyJohns/X.com)

After 12 years, India's 18-series winning streak at home was broken by New Zealand as they took away a 113-run mega win in the Pune Test to take an invincible 2-0 lead in the three-game series. Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was brutally honest in the post-game interview as he picked out major flaws that led to the landslide defeat.

India never found its footing in the Pune Test, and after allowing New Zealand to post 259 in the first inning, it succumbed to 156/10 in a baffling collapse. The Kiwis, meanwhile, pounced on the golden opportunity to add 255 more runs to their 103-run lead to set up a 358-run chase. 

While India responded well with aggressive intent, Mitchell Santner overpowered the hosts again with a 6-wicket haul. Eventually, India was bowled out for 245 runs, leading to a 113-run shambolic defeat.

Rohit Sharma says collective failure led to series loss Vs NZ

Having said that, losing captain Rohit Sharma credited New Zealand for being a better team in the Test match. He pinned the blame on the batters for failing to set up good totals in both the innings. Sharma opined that it's not just the bowlers' job to take 20 wickets to win a Test. The batters have to respond equally by setting up respectable totals on the board.

"Disappointing. It's not what we expected. But again you got to give credit to New Zealand. They played better than us. We failed to capitalize on the moments and we sit here on the wrong side. Look, I didn't think we batted well enough in both innings to get score. If you want to win Test matches, you have to take 20 wickets but the batters will have to score runs."

Interestingly, Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the pitch was fine to bat on and the batters dug their own grave by not being mindful with shot selection. While the intent was to go for the chase, the pressure of spin from both ends got the better of the team as Rohit admitted that his troops couldn't respond to challenges.

"Look to be honest, the way they started out, they were like 200 odd for three. For us to come back and get them for 259, it was a great effort from us. Not much was happening on that wicket and we didn't bat well enough. If we had managed to get closer to their first-innings total, things would have been different. But New Zealand played well. We thought we could chase down the target but continuous pressure from both sides meant that we couldn't respond to those challenges."

Having said that, Rohit Sharma deemed the loss a collective failure and promised to bounce back stronger in Wankhede, Mumbai for the third Test. 

"We have to show up at Wankhede and try to win it. Not looking too ahead. It's a collective effort. I'm not someone who will blame the batters or bowlers. It's a collective effort. We will come up with better plans and better methods to bounce back at Wankhede."

As far as Border Gavaskar Trophy is concerned, the captain is more focused on the immediate task at hand, which is the ongoing series.