IND vs AUS: "It is pretty disappointing" says Rohit Sharma after India's defeat at the MCG

Rohit Sharma scored only 12 runs in the Boxing Day test.

Australian Cricket team continued their impressive performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 with a commanding 184-run victory in Melbourne.

India, who defeated Australia at the MCG on their previous tours in 2018 and 2020, were disappointing with the bat this time. The pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland were well supported by Nathan Lyon, who took three wickets in the game.

Australia’s batting department stood up to the challenge in the first innings, with Steve Smith leading the way with a 140-run knock. Skipper Pat Cummins also starred in both departments, contributing 90 runs and taking six wickets in the game.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was the top scorer for the visitors, scoring 166 runs in the test. The turning point on day 5 was Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in India’s second innings. After forming an 88-run partnership with Jaiswal, Pant fell to a rash shot off Travis Head, which triggered the Indian collapse.

Rohit Sharma reflects on the defeat: “We had our chances, but we didn’t take them”

In the post-match interview, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance and the inability to capitalize on key moments.

Rohit Sharma said, “It’s pretty disappointing. It’s not that we went in with the intent of giving up the fight. We wanted to fight till the end and unfortunately, we couldn’t do it. We had Australia 90 for 6, and we know things can get tough, but we want to play tough cricket from hard situations.“

Australia’s No. 10 and 11, Lyon and Boland, formed a partnership of 61 runs in their second innings.

“We threw everything we had, but they fought hard, especially that last-wicket partnership, which probably cost us the game there,” Rohit Sharma added.

Reflecting on the team’s performance in the second innings, the Indian skipper highlighted the failure to build a solid platform.

He continued, “We knew 340 wasn’t going to be easy. We tried to set a platform and keep wickets in hand for the last two sessions, but they bowled perfectly as well. We didn’t set the platform from our side. There are ways to win games, and we fell short in finding ways to win games.“

Rohit also praised debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy for his first-innings century, saying, “He’s coming here for the first time, and these conditions can get really tough, but he showed great character and solid technique. He’s got everything to be successful at this level,“

Rohit spoke on the lack of support for Jasprit Bumrah, who took nine wickets in the match.

The skipper said, “He’s not a statistical person, just wants to play for the country and do well for the team, but unfortunately, he’s not got a lot of support from the other side.“

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