‘When you are 350 behind … ‘: Rohit Sharma reflects on defeat to New Zealand

Rohit Sharma during the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. (Photo by Idrees Mohammed/AFP via Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma became the first Indian captain to lose a Test match against New Zealand in India in 36 years.
The Kiwis go to the 107-run victory target with 8 wickets in hand shortly before lunch on Day 5 in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to take a 1-0 series lead in the three-match series on Sunday.
AS IT HAPPENED
New Zealand’s last Test victory came at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai way back in 1988.
The start of the match was delayed by an hour due to rain and the Indians tried their best to defend the low score of 107.
India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah struck twice to reduce New Zealand to 35/2 for a glimmer of hope but Will Young (48*) and Rachin Ravindra (39*) took the Kiwis safely to victory with an unbeaten 75-run stand for the third wicket.

Reflecting on the defeat after the match, Rohit said they knew what was ahead after India were bowled out for 46 runs in their first innings.
Rohit said, “It was a good effort with the bat in the second innings. We didn’t bat well in the first innings. So knew what was ahead and couple of guys stood out. When you are 350 behind you can’t think too much about it, just got to see the ball and bat.”
Sarfaraz Khan, who struck 150, and Rishabh Pant, who hit 99, put on 177 runs for the fourth wicket to overhaul India’s big deficit of 356 before the second new ball did the trick for the Black Caps and India were bowled out for 462 in their second innings in the final session on Day 4.
Talking about the Sarfaraz-Pant stand, Rohit said, “Couple of partnerships were really exciting to watch. We could have easily been bowled out cheaply but proud of the effort. Everyone is on the edge of the seat when those two bat. Rishabh left a few balls and then played shots. Sarfaraz showed great maturity as well.”
The Indian captain complimented the Kiwis for bowling well in the first innings saying, “I said in my press conference that we knew it will be sticky early on but we didn’t expect to be out for 46. New Zealand bowled well and we failed to respond to that.”
Looking ahead to the second Test in Pune that starts from October 24, Rohit said, “Games like these happen. We will move forward. We lost a game against England and won four games after that. We know exactly what is needed from each one of us.”