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After India’s defeat by an innings and 32 runs to South Africa in the first Test, Captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment with the lack of support for fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. While Bumrah delivered an impressive performance with 4-69, the rest of the Indian bowlers, including debutant Prasidh Krishna, struggled, allowing the Proteas to amass a formidable total.
In his post-match comments, Rohit acknowledged that the pitch didn’t warrant conceding 400 runs, and he emphasized the need for collective bowling efforts. Bumrah’s brilliance was overshadowed by the ineffectiveness of the change bowlers, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur, who managed only one wicket each.
Rohit stated, “Bumrah bowled well. All he wanted was a bit of support from the other side, which he didn’t get. Games like this teach you a lot of things, what you need to do as a group, as a bowling group.”
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Addressing Prasidh Krishna’s inexperience, Rohit acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence in the bowler’s potential. Despite Prasidh’s Test debut being a tough outing, Rohit emphasized the importance of backing players with potential and a positive attitude.
“A little bit inexperience, of course, but he has got the tools to come out here and play the game. When you get an opportunity, obviously you should be grateful and come out and do the job for the team. Prasidh has been with the Indian team. He has shown that he has a lot of potential. We are going to back him because he has the potential and he has got a great attitude as well about his game.”
Reflecting on the learning opportunities from the defeat, Rohit urged the team to understand what went wrong and come back stronger in the second Test at Cape Town starting on January 3.
“These things happen, but the guy has the game to excel in this particular format. So we are going to back him because he has the potential and he has got a great attitude as well about his game, which probably will hold us in good stead moving forward.”
As India prepares for the second Test, Rohit Sharma remains optimistic about the team’s ability to bounce back and make a stronger impact.
–IANS
