Need to Have a Word with Specific Players”: Rohit Sharma Sets Intentions Clear After India’s Historic Defeat to New Zealand
- October 26, 2024
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After India’s first home series defeat in 12 years, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is adopting a balanced approach to address the setbacks following the 0-2 loss against New Zealand. Despite the disappointment, Rohit refrained from drastic measures, emphasizing the importance of calm reflection and constructive feedback for certain players without making a public spectacle of the situation.
India’s second Test loss by 113 runs came after falling short of a challenging 359-run target, marking a rare defeat on home soil since their last series loss to England in 2012-13. During the interim, India won an impressive 18 consecutive series at home. Despite the setback, Rohit is keen on a tempered response. “You don’t need to overreact,” Rohit remarked in the post-match press conference. “But you need to have a quiet chat with certain individuals and let them know where they are at and what, as a team, we require from them.”
Rohit stressed the importance of internal support, especially for players new to the international arena. Instead of scrutinizing their individual performances in a team setting, he believes in addressing them individually, allowing them space to analyze and improve without undue pressure. “Just because we lost a series, I don’t think we need to talk or do anything drastically different. But we must find ways to come out of these situations,” he noted.
While Rohit expressed confidence in his team, he acknowledged the need for players to approach the game with clear, actionable plans—similar to the ones New Zealand’s batters displayed in their victory. Although seasoned players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja struggled to make a significant impact, Rohit reiterated his faith in their abilities, as well as his support for the team’s younger members. Reflecting on his own early career, he emphasized, “When we [the current seniors] had just five or six Tests under our belt, all we wanted was support from the captain, the coach, and management.”
Looking ahead, Rohit highlighted that India’s upcoming tour to Australia will require composure and preparedness, particularly for players who will be experiencing overseas Test matches for the first time. He intends to create an environment where players feel they belong, free from self-doubt and excess pressure. “Of course, we need to look at the series loss, but not to the point where the team starts feeling something unusual is happening or start doubting themselves,” Rohit explained.
To frame the defeat in perspective, Rohit emphasized India’s strong record at home. “Out of the 54 Test matches we’ve played here, we’ve won 42. That’s nearly 80%. So there are far more good things than bad, and a single series loss doesn’t erase that,” he stated.
Finally, Rohit defended Ashwin and Jadeja, who faced criticism for their underwhelming performances in the series. Rohit highlighted their significant contributions over the years and reminded everyone that victories are a collective responsibility. “Both of them have played huge roles in our past successes. It’s unfair to expect them alone to win every match. When they have an off day, it’s up to the rest of us to step up.”
With a focus on constructive communication and team unity, Rohit Sharma is setting a positive tone for India’s recovery as they prepare for the challenges of an away series in Australia, hopeful that his balanced approach will foster resilience and confidence within the squad.