'Our Batters Were Challenged, We Didn't Adapt Well': Rohit Sharma After Crushing Defeat vs South Africa

Captain Rohit Sharma admitted that India were not good enough to beat South Africa in the opening Test as they suffered an innings and 32-run defeat in Centurion. The Indian batters failed to put up any fight and were bundled out for just 131 inside 35 overs in the second innings after South Africa took a 163-run lead.

The South African pacers once again dominated the Indian batters and kept taking wickets at regular intervals as only two Indian batters – Virat Kohli (76) and Shubman Gill (26) managed to register double-digit scores.

Rohit said that it was a collective failure by the team as they failed to match the intensity in the series opener.

“We were not good enough to win. Having been put into bat, KL batted well to get us that score but then we didn’t exploit the conditions with the ball and then again didn’t show up today with the bat. If we have to win Test matches, we have to come together collectively and we didn’t do that,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.

The Indian skipper was critical of his batting unit and said it was a boundary-scoring ground and they failed to adapt to the conditions.

“Guys have come here before, we know what to expect and everyone has their own plan. Our batters were challenged and we didn’t adapt well. This is a boundary-scoring ground, we saw them score many but we need to understand the opposition and their strengths as well. We didn’t bat well in both innnings, that’s why we stand here,” he added.

KL Rahul was the saving grace for India in the first innings as he scored a fighting century to help India post a respectable total of 245 but all went downhill for India in the second and third day.

“Not too many positives to finish the game within 3 days, but KL showed what we need to do on this sort of pitch,” he added.

However, Rohit backed his bowlers and said that a lot of them were playing in South Africa for the first time.

“Our bowlers, a lot of these guys haven’t been here before so I don’t want to be too critical. Important for us to regroup, we go through these times as sportsmen and we need to be ready for the next Test now,” he concluded.