Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, has acknowledged the subpar batting performance of his team in the first innings of the Pune Test, conceding that the resulting deficit proved insurmountable on a challenging surface. India’s loss marked their first Test series defeat on home soil in 12 years, sparking discussions about a possible decline in India’s proficiency against spin.
In his characteristic composure, Sharma avoided exaggerations or blame games but did concede the necessity of exploring diverse strategies to combat spinning deliveries—tactics that the visiting team seemed to employ successfully. Reflecting on the 113-run defeat, Sharma stated, “We didn’t bat well in the first innings. With just 156 runs to our name, our batters recognize they didn’t meet the challenge of the pitch.”
He further elaborated, “The pitch wasn’t problematic. Unfortunately, we failed to come close to their initial score, and once we fell behind by 103 runs, we knew facing the challenge ahead would be tough regardless of the target. As the match progressed, the pitch’s behavior evolved slightly, and chasing 350 runs became formidable. Although we witnessed a promising partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, we quickly lost wickets thereafter, and the game slipped from our grip.”
Sharma emphasized the importance of adopting different scoring strategies, both in front and behind square, to upset the control exerted by opposition spinners, a tactic notably employed by New Zealand’s batsmen. The captain noted how Ollie Pope’s sweeping and reverse-sweeping tactics had previously aided England in a significant victory against India, but emphasized India’s batting unit’s inability to replicate such countermeasures against a spinning-friendly pitch in Pune.
“You must find ways to score runs to pressurize the bowlers,” Sharma expressed. “New Zealand’s batters tried different approaches effectively, putting our bowlers under pressure and causing us to err. That’s a strategy our team needs to embrace—playing shots like paddles, reverses, and sweeps to unsettle the field settings, enabling shots that can exploit gaps better.”
Sharma reiterated, “Our discussions have centered on devising ways to score, especially on pitches where unpredictable turn and bounce are prevalent. Ultimately, it is about giving the player in the middle the choice to determine the appropriate shot selection against specific bowlers.
. Not every delivery is suitable for a sweep or a reverse sweep, and quicker deliveries make those shots even tougher. Batters must analyze and decide their attacking strategy accordingly.”
In defense of Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who were bested by New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, Sharma stated, “The expectation from Ashwin and Jadeja is unreasonable. They aren’t solely responsible for winning Test matches. By their high standards, they are aware of their performances. But they have significantly contributed to our streak of successes at home, and one poor series shouldn’t overshadow their achievements.”
Highlighting past successes, Sharma added, “Our spinners have played crucial roles in India’s impressive 18-series home winning streak. A couple of series won’t diminish their contributions. This team thrives on solidarity; just as we expect batters to score collectively, our bowlers, too, must share the responsibility.”
Amidst discussions around a potential transition in India’s Test cricket, Sharma advocated for a sense of stability, cautioning against drastic changes following one series defeat. “Our inability to perform shouldn’t prompt drastic overhauls. Our team has performed admirably over the years, and the expectation to win continuously at home is a reflection of that.”
“Oppositions have studied India and come prepared now. Cricket is a game of fine margins, and on any given day, an opponent could outperform us. However, I see no reason for panic. We’ve crafted our cricketing style over the years, and occasionally, tweaking aspects can be more beneficial than restructuring our approach entirely,” he concluded.