Following India’s unexpected Test series defeat to New Zealand, former coach Ravi Shastri has expressed confidence that captain Rohit Sharma will feel the sting of this setback and won’t take it lightly. Under Rohit’s leadership, India lost a home Test series for the first time since 2012, sparking scrutiny of his captaincy and recent form. Though Rohit encouraged fans to focus on India's 12-year unbeaten home record rather than one series loss, Shastri believes this defeat weighs heavily on him.
“Rohit Sharma is a proud man, and he’ll be hurting. His relaxed demeanour hides how much this means to him and the team,” Shastri said during commentary. He added that every player in India’s dressing room would be eager to redeem themselves and prove their resilience in the final Test.
Rohit’s leadership decisions, particularly opting to bat first after a rain delay in the first Test, drew criticism. His performance with the bat also came under the microscope, with only 62 runs across four innings. Despite the defeat, which ended India’s 18-series home winning streak, Rohit maintained a composed outlook, emphasising steady adjustments rather than drastic overhauls.
“We’ve lost a series, but that doesn’t mean a complete change is needed. We need to quietly assess and find ways to get out of challenging situations,” Rohit said in his post-match remarks.
India faces New Zealand in the final Test starting November 1, where they aim to regain momentum and restore confidence in their WTC campaign.