Rohit Sharma: India’s players not scarred by Australia thrashing

Last Updated: December 8, 2024Categories: SportsBy Views: 69

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India captain Rohit Sharma says the manner of his side’s thrashing by Australia in the second Test will not leave his players with mental scars.

Australia wrapped up a 10-wicket victory at the Adelaide Oval to square the five-match series at 1-1 after dominating all three days of the match.

None of India’s players made a half-century in either innings, while their bowling attack failed to capitalise when conditions were in their favour – especially with the pink ball under the floodlights on day one.

The third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane starts on 14 December and Rohit acknowledged India have to “figure out certain things”, but believes his team will not be weighed down by defeat.

“Firstly, it’s not a [mental] scar, it’s just we’ve lost a Test match. We didn’t play well enough,” he said.

“It’s still 1-1 and plenty of things left [to come] in this series and definitely a way for us to get back into it. I am not going to look too much into this game and start worrying about little things.”

Rohit agreed India were “not good enough with the bat” but is confident their top order can turn things around in Brisbane.

“When you come to Australia, I feel the best chance of winning a Test match is by putting runs on the board,” he said.

“Whatever challenges are there and the conditions are tough, we want to battle it out, stay out there and grind it out. I can see guys are putting a lot of effort into their plans, in what they want to do.”

Rohit suggested the “door was open” for experienced seam bowler Mohammed Shami to join India for the tour but acknowledged they had to be “very careful” with his fitness.

Shami has not played international cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final in November last year but returned to play first-class cricket in November.

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann said India have to take a risk with the 34-year-old, who is not currently part of the tourists’ squad for the series.

“The big one for India is what do they do with their third seamer for Brisbane. That’s going to be their big talking point,” Lehmann told ABC Grandstand.

“I thought India bowled a bit wide and not full enough which allowed Australia to let the ball go. So Shami needs to play in Brisbane. If they are going to risk him it’s the next one.”

Ex-Australia seamer Stuart Clark added: “I’d be getting Shami in as soon as possible because we know he is a quality performer.

“Even if he can only play two of three Tests, I still think that might be a better option than what they have got.”

Travis Head has played down a verbal spat which took place between himself and India seamer Mohammed Siraj.

Australia batter Head made a brilliant 140 on the second day before he was bowled by Siraj and the pair exchanged words.

Head told a news conference after play on day two that he had told Siraj “well bowled” during the interaction but the India bowler questioned that part of the story., external

Relations between the pair seemed more cordial when Siraj came out to bat on day three, and when they embraced after the match finished.

Head told ABC Grandstand: “It was fine. He said ‘why did you swear?’ and I said ‘I didn’t at first until the second time round, when I did’.

“I probably could have laughed it off and walked off. There were no issues from me. I didn’t think he was going to say anything, or expect him to, so we move on.

“I’m not bothered. Water off a duck’s back for me. He’s the same and we move on. I have to make sure I get some runs in the next Test and not get knocked over.”

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