Rohit Sharma’s struggles against Kagiso Rabada aside, Team India as a whole had a harrowing time in Centurion to lose the opening Test by an innings and 32 runs. South Africa thus remains India’s final frontier as the Proteas have taken an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Even if chances of winning the series are gone, India stay hopeful of winning the second and final Test in Cape Town beginning on Wednesday and ensuring it ends 1-1. Captain Rohit appears to be optimistic about it.
“Agar aap peeche bhi rehte ho, aap kitna peeche rehte ho (Even if you are behind, how much behind you are), that is important. We were almost 160 (163) behind. In these kinds of wickets, that is a lot.
“The total that we put up (245 in the first innings) was good on that pitch (in Centurion). When they were stitching the stand, we wanted not to let them go too far ahead. You always need to find a way into the game. So, we need to show application.
“However, we have seen in the past too that India we can do well after falling behind. So, we’re confident,” Rohit said on Tuesday.
The skipper also lent his support to India’s pace attack which lacks a bit of experience in senior pro Mohammed Shami’s absence. Prasidh Krishna, who made his Test debut in Centurion, was very expensive along with Shardul Thakur, but the Karnataka pacer has Rohit’s backing.
“ I still feel that sometimes we’ve got a little bit of inexperience in our bowling and sometimes when you have that, you’ve got to show some faith in the bowlers and trust them. That can happen to any team.
“Like I had said in the last post-match news conference (in Centurion) about Prasidh playing his first game, we all get nervous when we’re playing our first game. It’s understandable, but I’ll still back that thought of mine that he has got good ability to succeed at this level and especially in this format.
“So, it’s just about showing faith and trust in everyone and getting the job done by them,” Rohit explained.
Batting-wise, Shubman Gill has been having a tough time in Tests and isn’t looking comfortable at No.3 either. “He prefers that number,” Rohit stated.
“He has batted in the Ranji Trophy at that number and around that position. He has opened in Test and limited-overs games, but No.3 was his preference. He feels he can do well at that position.”