India’s leader, Rohit Sharma, admired KL Rahul’s strong will. He scored a century in the first innings in the Centurion Test against South Africa, despite tough circumstances. Rohit used this performance to highlight that Rahul’s determination is what India’s hitters need to show.
The Boxing Day Test saw India beaten by South Africa, trailing by an innings and 32 runs on the third day, December 28. Despite losing the toss and being made to bat first, they reached 245. KL Rahul accounted for 101 of those runs.
In the post-match press conference after India’s loss, Rohit commended Rahul’s effort in the first innings, remarking:
“What KL Rahul did in the first innings is the perfect example of the intent, at the same time respecting the conditions as well. At the end of the day, he scored runs at a strike rate of 71, and he put the bad balls away. That is what we talk about intent. We don’t want to just go and swing our bats. If there are conditions we’ll do that. There is a very thin line.”
“Every individual is quite different and we try to talk to every individual in the way they want to play. Obviously, keeping the conditions in mind, what better they can do as well.”
Rohit Sharma
According to the Indian captain, success in South Africa requires a combination of intent, discipline, and temperament.
“When you come to places like this, with conditions like that, you need to have all kinds of things in your mind. You got to go and adapt and know that there will be times when the bowlers will be tired, and try to cash in.”
Rohit Sharma
Rohit’s Test performance at bat was forgettable as he scored 0 and 5. Kagiso Rabada removed him from the game in both innings.
“Have full confidence in the guys” – Rohit Sharma backs team despite setback
India’s hopes of winning a Test series in the Rainbow Nation will have to wait till after another visit due to the defeat in the opening Test. But Rohit Sharma predicted his team will recover well in the Test in the New Year.
“It’s not always going to be happy days for the captain. On days like these, the captain needs to stand up and get around the team more than anything else… We can learn from what went wrong. But when you take the job, you will have days like this. I have full confidence in the guys we have here now. But now it’s about getting together and standing for each other.”
Rohit Sharma
The two-match series’ second Test will take place at Newlands in Cape Town from January 3–7.