Rohit Sharma press conference today after 2nd Test IND vs NZ at Pune

Courtesy: BCCI

Rohit Sharma, captain of the Indian cricket team, addressed the media after Day 3 of the second IDFC First Bank Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Rohit reflected on India’s challenging position after losing the first Test, emphasizing the team’s resolve to make a strong comeback. With New Zealand having defeated India in the first Test, ending a 36-year drought for a Test win on Indian soil, India found themselves under considerable pressure to level the series.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma expressed disappointment over the team’s series performance while emphasizing a calm, forward-looking approach. Following New Zealand’s commanding 113-run victory, which secured them the series and ended India’s 11-year undefeated home streak, Rohit addressed the need for resilience and emphasized that the team would avoid overreacting to setbacks.

Rohit acknowledged that the series outcome was challenging, particularly for a team that has sustained a successful run at home for over a decade. However, he highlighted that consistent performance naturally involves occasional lows. "When you perform consistently for so long, setbacks happen," he noted, urging the team and fans alike not to dwell too deeply on the loss. Rohit mentioned the importance of trusting in players’ abilities and underscored that their focus would be on identifying ways to bounce back without overhauling their strategies.

The team struggled with batting consistency across both Tests, with collapses in critical moments affecting the overall performance. India had set New Zealand a challenging target of 359 in the final innings, only to see New Zealand capitalize on spin-friendly conditions and chase the target with skill. Reflecting on the day’s play, Rohit commended Yashasvi Jaiswal, who top-scored with a brisk 77, but urged the rest of the batting lineup to trust their plans and remain adaptable under pressure.

Looking ahead, Rohit maintained that India would draw lessons from this series and that their goal would be to regroup for the upcoming third Test in Mumbai, starting on November 1. India now faces a steeper challenge in the World Test Championship standings and must win the majority of their remaining games to keep their qualification hopes alive.