IND Vs NZ: I Was Not At My Best In Leading The Team And In Batting As well, Admits Rohit Sharma

New Zealand clinched a historic 3-0 series victory over India after securing a 25-run win in the third Test at Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a modest 147-run target on day three, India stumbled to 29/5, with Rishabh Pant fighting back through a quick 57-ball 64. However, his dismissal ended India’s hopes, as New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel spun his way to 6-57, adding to his 5-103 in the first innings.

This marks India’s first clean sweep loss in a home Test series since South Africa’s 2-0 win in 1999-2000. It is also India’s first-ever 3-0 series defeat at home in a three-match Test series or longer.

Captain Sharma Reflects on Series Failings

After the game, a disappointed Rohit Sharma acknowledged his struggles as both captain and batsman. “Losing a series or a Test match is never easy. We didn’t play our best cricket, and New Zealand consistently outperformed us. I wasn’t at my best in leading the team or with the bat,” he said at the post-match presentation.

Sharma highlighted India’s errors, particularly their failure to score heavily in the first innings of the series. He noted, “In the first two Tests, we didn’t put up enough runs. This game, we got a slight lead, and the target was chaseable, but we failed collectively.”

India’s Batting Struggles Against Spin Exposed

India’s batting faltered repeatedly against New Zealand’s spin attack. Poor shot selection, lack of patience, and overconfidence on spinning tracks led to their downfall. Sharma admitted his approach failed in these conditions, where spinners dominated. He praised Pant, Shubman Gill, and Washington Sundar for showing resilience but said the team failed to adapt.

“When chasing a target like that, you need runs on the board. I had a plan, but it didn’t work. We have played on pitches like this for years, and we should know better. The result reflects our mistakes,” he concluded.

India’s loss in the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, the second by 113 runs in Pune, and the third by 25 runs in Mumbai highlighted New Zealand’s superiority and India’s struggle against spin in familiar conditions.

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