“We didn't bat well in both innings” – Rohit Sharma after India’s defeat to South Africa in 1st Test

India captain Rohit Sharma has said that they failed to deliver with the bat, which cost them an innings and 32-run loss against South Africa in the first Test. The 36-year-old shared that the batters failed to use boundary opportunities unlike the Proteas, who made the most of the conditions as well. He, however, credited veteran wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul for scoring a hundred in the first innings under pressure.

However, Rohit Sharma’s reaction came as they lost the opening Test inside three days. India were bowled out for 245 and 131 in response to South Africa’s 408. Only Rahul (101 in the first innings) and Virat Kohli (76 in the second innings) did well with the bat for the visitors on the challenging pitch as well.

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Who said what after the match?

Rohit Sharma: “We were not good enough to win. Having been put into bat, KL batted well to get us that score but then we didn’t exploit the conditions with the ball and then again didn’t show up today with the bat. If we have to win Test matches, we have to come together collectively and we didn’t do that. Guys have come here before, we know what to expect and everyone has their own plan. Our batters were challenged and we didn’t adapt well. This is a boundary scoring ground, we saw them score many but we need to understand the opposition and their strengths as well.”

“We didn’t bat well in both innnings, that’s why we stand here. Not too many positives to finish the game within 3 days, but KL showed what we need to do on this sort of pitch. Our bowlers, a lot of these guys haven’t been here before so I don’t want to be too critical. Important for us to regroup, we go through these times as sportsmen and we need to be ready for the next Test now,” he further added.

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Dean Elgar, Player of the Match said: “Pretty special knock. Sometimes what we want to do hasn’t worked out as plans, but happy that it worked today. I think you need to keep things nice and simple, the game is already pretty complex. Focus on the ball, play nice and straight. Play late and be great. You got to ride the roller when it is in your favour. Good partnerships with Tony, and then Jansen showed his talent as well. You need fast bowlers and a spinner potentially to take 20 wickets, that’s how we win Test matches.”

“KG was brilliant, but then Nandre showed why he has been such a shining light for South African cricket. First few days were overcast, and close to a sellout. Crowds don’t need much motivation to come out and watch their cricket or rugby in Pretoria. You can’t win a 2 Test series if you don’t win the first one, the Indians are difficult to beat. We’ll have a few days out to relax and enjoy this. We were pretty clinical, our fielding wasn’t the best and we didn’t make it too easy for ourselves at times,” he concluded.