‘Every time we play in India, there’s only focus on the pitch’, says India captain Rohit Sharma after loss in 3rd Test

He further added, “Before every series we usually decide what kind of pitches we would like to play on. It was our call to play on pitches like these. I don’t think we are putting pressure on the batters. When we win all seems well. We are not asked about our batting. It is talked about when we lose. We have decided to play on pitches like these, and we know we can be challenged, but we are ready for that.”

Having won the toss and opting to bat first in Indore, India were bundled out for 107 in the first innings. With Australia having secured an 88 run lead in the second innings, the home side’s top order, barring a Cheteshwar Pujara fifty, were brought down at 163.

Australia chase down the target comfortably to win the third Test in Indore 🙌#WTC23 | #INDvAUS | 📝 https://t.co/FFaPxt9fIY pic.twitter.com/ylOX2GLLZq

— ICC (@ICC) March 3, 2023

“Obviously we didn’t bat well in the first innings and we understand how important it is to put runs on the board,” Rohit said post-match. “Once they got a 80-90 run lead, we had to produce another innings with the bat and we were not able to do that. If we had batted well in the first innings then things would have been different.”

With former cricketers such as Dilip Vengsarkar, Matthew Hayden and Mark Waugh placing their views on the wickets during the ongoing series in Nagpur, Delhi and Indore not being suitable for Test cricket, Rohit enquired about their experience of having played in such conditions.

“Former cricketers, I don’t think they played on pitches like these. So I don’t know honestly. Like I said, this is the kind of pitches we want to play on. This is our strength. So when you are playing at home, you always play to your strength and not worry about what people are talking about,” the Indian captain said.

“Our strength is spin bowling and batting depth. Other teams use home advantage when we travel overseas. What is wrong in that? Especially when we are getting the results. If we were not getting the results I would think otherwise. We are getting the results. Some batters are under pressure but that is okay. You can’t have all members of your team in good form. Few will go through a rough patch but that is okay,” Rohit added.

The WTC simulation plan doubtful

Ahead of the third Test, India captain Rohit Sharma had nodded in agreement to the suggestion of the pitch for the Ahmedabad Test being simulated to match the conditions for the WTC Final later in the summer.

“It will be a different ball game (facing Australia in England) for both teams, actually. There is definitely a possibility of that (preparing seaming conditions in Ahmedabad). We have already spoken about it. We need to get the guys ready for it,” he had said in the pre-match press conference.

With a nine wicket defeat handed in Indore, that plan may be out of the picture. When asked about the same post-match, the Indian captain did seem unsure.

“We haven’t thought about it yet, we just finished the Test and we have some time to think about it,” Rohit said. “We need to understand no matter what the pitches are we have to come out and do the job. When you are playing on challenging pitches you have to be brave, which I think we were not.”