In a dramatic conclusion to the Test series against New Zealand, India’s captain Rohit Sharma faced tough questions following a controversial dismissal of Rishabh Pant. The incident occurred during India’s chase in the third Test at Wankhede Stadium, where Pant was given out caught bat-pad after a review overturned the on-field decision of not out. This pivotal moment contributed to India’s eventual 25-run defeat and a humiliating 0-3 series whitewash.
Rohit’s Confusion Over the Dismissal
Rohit Sharma expressed his bewilderment regarding the decision during the post-match press conference. He stated, “About that dismissal, I honestly, I don’t know. If we say something, it is not accepted well. But if there is no conclusive evidence, it has to go, it has to stand with the umpire’s on-field decision. That is what I have been told.”
He further elaborated, “The bat was clearly close to the pad. So, again, I don’t know if it is the right thing for me to talk about. It is something for the umpires to think about. Have the same rules for every team, not keep changing their mind.”
Pant was batting brilliantly, having scored 64 runs and looking set to guide India to victory when he was dismissed. Rohit acknowledged the significance of this wicket: “That dismissal actually was very, very crucial from our point of view. Rishabh was really looking good at that point and it felt like he will take us through.” He lamented how quickly things unraveled after Pant’s exit: “But it was an unfortunate dismissal; got out and then we were bowled out right after that.”
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Rohit Acknowledges Leadership Shortcomings
In addition to addressing the controversial dismissal, Rohit took full responsibility for India’s performance throughout the series. He admitted that he was not at his best as captain or as a batsman. “Something like this will be a very low point of my career and I take full responsibility for it,” he said. He reflected on how New Zealand consistently outplayed India and noted, “We didn’t play our best cricket… There were a lot of mistakes we did.”
Rohit Sharma’s candid remarks highlight both his disappointment and his commitment to learning from this experience. As India prepares for future challenges, particularly against formidable opponents like Australia, addressing these issues will be crucial for improvement.
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