Rohit Sharma, who hit a match-winning 66 in the 1st innings and remained unbeaten on 25 in the second, defended the Ahmedabad pitch, saying batsmen of England and India ended up making a lot of mistakes which eventually led to the early finish of the 3rd Test-inside 2 days.
India’s opener Rohit Sharma defended the pitch used for the Pink-ball Test in Ahmedabad, saying there were no real demons on it and both teams’ batsmen made mistakes that led to an incredibly early finish.
Rohit Sharma: Batsmen From Both Sides Made Mistakes As There Were No Demons On The Pitch
Rohit Sharma said the pitch was nice to bat on when settled, and batsmen needed more concentration and the right positive approach and intent to scoring runs while speaking about the much-criticized pitch. His comments come after India wrapped up the 3rd Test by 10 wickets to go 2-1 up in the 4-Test series.
Only 140.2 overs were bowled over the 4 innings overall as the Pink-ball Test in Ahmedabad ended in a little over 5 sessions. This was the first time England lost a Test-inside 2 days since 1912 as the Test became the shortest completed Test since 1935.
“To be honest, on a pitch like that.. the pitch didn’t do anything. If I can recollect, most of the batsmen got out to straighter deliveries. Not just them, we, as a batting unit, made a lot of mistakes. We didn’t bat well in the first innings. The pitch had nothing as such, no such demons as we call. It was a nice pitch to bat on, once you’re in, you can score runs as well,” Rohit said during a virtual press conference.
“But again, you just need to apply and keep concentrating on a pitch like that. To score runs, you need more concentration on a pitch like that,” he added.
England was bundled after scoring a paltry 112 in the first innings despite having won the toss and opted to bat. In response, India rode on a Rohit Sharma fifty and ended the first day’s play at 99 for 3. However, they lost wickets in a hurry on the 2nd day, eventually getting bundled out for 145. For England, part-time spinner Joe Root picked 5 scalps giving away only 8 runs in 6.2 overs.
England, after having done all the hard work with the ball, failed to seize the initiative as they were restricted to only 81 in their 2nd innings. Man of Match Axar Patel picked up 11 wickets and Ravichandran Ashwin 7 as India spinners dominated once again in the Test series.
Rohit Sharma: On A Pitch Like Ahmedabad One Need To Have An Intent And Can’t Just Keep Blocking
Rohit Sharma hit 66 in just 96 balls in the first innings, which eventually proved to be the difference in the end. He looked comfortable as long as he was out in the middle but he got out while trying to play a sweep shot against Jack Leach on Day 2 morning.
Stressing about the importance of looking to score runs on a pitch like the one in Ahmedabad, Rohit added: “When you are playing on a pitch like that, you need to have an intent and look to score runs as well.
“You can’t just keep blocking. As you saw that oddball might just turn and oddball might just skid onto stumps, when you play for a turn. You just need to be slightly ahead at times and try to find ways to score runs. My intent was not just to survive but try and score runs as well, while respecting the good balls.”
India will head into the 4th and final Test, starting March 4 in Ahmedabad with an opportunity to make it 3-1 and seal a berth in the final of the World Test Championship. After losing, England is out of contention for a spot in the final but Australia can go through if England beats India in the next and final 4th Test.