Rohit Sharma called India’s 184-run loss to Australia “mentally disturbing,” admitting his team fell short in the Melbourne Test. Read his full reaction and match insights.
Rohit Sharma: “Mentally Disturbing” Loss Against Australia Sparks Introspection
India suffered a massive 184-run defeat against Australia in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), leaving the team trailing 1-2 in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma minced no words in expressing his disappointment, labeling the loss as “mentally disturbing” and admitting that the team failed to rise to the occasion.
“It is mentally disturbing when you can’t do what you have come to do,” Sharma said during the post-match press conference. “There are ways to win games, and we fell short of finding them. We wanted to fight till the end, but unfortunately, we couldn’t.”
India Misses Crucial Opportunities
The match saw India hold a promising position on Sunday, with Australia struggling at 90 for six in their second innings. However, the hosts staged a dramatic turnaround, setting a daunting target of 340 runs for India.
“We had them at 90 for six, and we know things can get tough, but we want to play hard cricket in such situations. Unfortunately, we were not good enough this time,” Rohit admitted. Reflecting on the loss, he added, “That last-wicket partnership cost us the game. I went back to my room thinking about what else we could have done as a team.”
Failed Chase and Strategic Errors
India’s attempt to chase down 340 fell apart as Australia’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection. Despite early optimism, the Indian batting lineup failed to build a solid foundation.
“We knew 340 wasn’t going to be easy,” said Sharma. “We tried to set a platform and keep wickets in hand for the last two sessions, but they bowled exceptionally well. We wanted to go for the target, but we didn’t set the platform from our side.”
Positives Amidst the Disappointment
Rohit praised Nitish Kumar Reddy for his brilliant century during India’s first innings. “This was his first time in such challenging conditions, and he showed great character and solid technique. He has everything to succeed at this level, and I hope he continues to grow,” Rohit said.
He also lauded Jasprit Bumrah for his outstanding performance with the ball. “Bumrah has been absolutely brilliant. He’s been carrying the bowling attack almost singlehandedly. Unfortunately, he didn’t get enough support from the other end,” he added.
Pat Cummins’ Tactical Masterclass
Australian skipper Pat Cummins revealed the strategy behind their decision not to declare the second innings. “We wanted to take an Indian win out of the equation,” Cummins said. “We put a lot of work into our lower-order batting, and that effort paid off in this match.”
Cummins described the Melbourne Test as one of the most memorable games of his career. “What an amazing Test match! The crowd was fantastic throughout the week, and it’s been an incredible experience.”
He also credited teammates Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith for their vital contributions, highlighting the depth and resilience of Australia’s lineup.
Looking Ahead
The loss leaves India with a steep climb as they head to Sydney for the series-deciding fifth Test, starting January 3. The team will need to regroup and address critical shortcomings if they hope to level the series.
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