India’s Test Cricket Challenges

In Test cricket, whether the ball is red or pink, scoring substantial first-innings runs remains critical. Unfortunately, this has been a persistent challenge for India in recent games. Adelaide marked the fourth instance in five Tests where India failed to surpass 200 runs, managing only 180. Prior outings included 150 in Perth, 156 in Pune, and a paltry 46 in Bengaluru. Rohit Sharma contextualised these figures, explaining that many of these matches were played under challenging batting conditions—some of which were intentionally designed by the team, even on home soil. However, he also accentuated on the need for Indian batters to perform better.

"When you come to Australia, I feel the best chance of winning a Test match is by putting runs on the board," he said after India's ten-wicket defeat two hours into day three.

"We were 30-40 runs short with the bat in the first innings. And then there were opportunities when Australia were batting, and we failed to take those chances. And obviously, when you miss those chances, it is never easy, and it's not going to be easy. The opposition will always make you pay for it, and that's what happened. And then in the second innings as well, we thought the conditions were better. Again, we were not good enough with the bat."

However, he reminded the team of their ability to score abroad, citing their strong performance in the first game of the series, where batters registered significant scores, including centuries. Despite the recent loss, Rohit remained optimistic about the team's efforts and planning, noting the importance of strategic conversations within the group to address shortcomings.

Senior Players Struggling for Runs

India's batting woes extend to its senior players. Rohit himself has averaged only 11.83 over the last six Tests, while Virat Kohli has managed 26.25 across seven games. With the World Test Championship encouraging result-oriented pitches, runs have become increasingly elusive. Rohit acknowledged the challenge of facing bowling-friendly conditions but urged the team to grind through adversity. He praised efforts like Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s patient 200-run partnership in Perth, achieved through disciplined and methodical batting.

Bowling Concerns and Team Dynamics

India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, has been formidable, with Bumrah claiming 12 wickets at an average of 11.25. However, Rohit cautioned against over-reliance on a single player. While Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana provided support in Perth, Rana struggled in Adelaide, conceding 86 runs in 16 overs. When asked about replacing Rana with Akash Deep, who had impressed in practice, Rohit defended his decision to retain Rana. He argued that one poor match shouldn’t lead to a player's exclusion, as this could undermine the team’s morale and sense of security. Instead, he stressed the need to back players who show heart and potential, even when faced with adversity.

As the series heads to Brisbane, known for its fast and bouncy pitches, Rohit remains focused on adapting to the challenges ahead. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, India faces the dual task of bolstering its batting lineup and maintaining a balanced bowling attack to secure victory in the decider.