Bharat was bowled out for 46 in the second half, his lowest Test score at home, and eventually lost the game by eight wickets. But thanks to Sarfaraz’s 150 and Pant’s 99, they were able to overcome the shortfall of 356.
“When those two are batting, everyone is on the edge of their seat because they like to play the game that has given them success,” Rohit advised the broadcaster about the sport. “You’ve seen it over time with Rishabh, the way he bats obviously involves a bit of risk but I thought it was a very mature innings. [He] He defended good balls, he left few balls too and then, again, he backed himself to play those shots, and that’s what it’s all about.
“Don’t forget Sarfaraz. Sarfaraz, too, enjoying at best his third or fourth Check fit [fourth]to convert that age to approximately adulthood [was great]and [he was] Very clear in your thoughts what kind of photographs you want to play. While you are clear in your thoughts, you end up in an excellent seat.”
But Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal put together a 72-run stand in India’s second innings that set the stage to make up the deficit just three wickets away. While they endured a collapse off the second new ball that led to an eventual defeat, Rohit was pleased with the determination shown by India’s batsmen despite having their backs against the wall.
“When you find yourself 350 [356] run after, you won’t suppose to stay about it. All you have to do is fight and hit the ball, it’s that simple. That was once the plan. We would have liked to bat and detect where the game is heading. It was actually exciting to see some big partnerships there and put ourselves back in the game. Like I said, when you have 350 behind you, it could have just been [a situation] the place we can have [been] he was dismissed early, even scoring 350. It was an impressive fight with the bat, something we are very happy with as a team.”
“There are guys who have been on their pitch before, where we have lost a game. We lost a game against England in the first Test, and we won four games after that. This happens. It’s still two check walking suits, and “We all know exactly what is needed from each and every one of us, so we will fight and carry out our perfect sport.”
The second Test of the series, which will be hosted by Pune, begins on October 24.
