Rohit Sharma slams Indian batters after unexpected series loss

India’s winning streak in the ODI series at home ended with their 21-run loss to the Aussie side on Wednesday. The three-match series between the two slides was tied at 1-1 before the game decider in Chennai where India failed to chase down a target of 270 runs. The Men in Blue lost an ODI series at home for the first time since March 2019.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma felt that it was their below-par batting performance which led to the loss. The start Rohit and Gill provided was strong enough to demoralise the Aussie bowlers. The skipper led from the front and smashed 30 runs off just 17 balls, before getting caught into the hands of the only deep fielder in the leg side. Rohit managed to get a 65-run opening partnership with Gill in just 9.1 overs. 

"I don't think it was too many runs (to chase). The wicket was a little challenging towards the second half. I don't think we batted well. The moment we thought we were getting a partnership, we lost a wicket. Partnerships are crucial, and we failed to do that today," Rohit stated at the post-match presentation.

Rohit was utterly disappointed by the Indian batters losing their wickets. He said that there needed to be some sort of better gameplay as they were competing in their home pitch even though it was a bit tougher for the batters towards the end. Virat Kohli was India’s top scorer in this game as he scored 54 off 72 balls but all went in vain as one of his lofted shots went straight down the throat of David Warner.

"The mode of dismissals, you are born and brought up on these wickets. Sometimes it will be challenging but it is important to apply yourself, and try and give yourself a chance. We were chasing 270 and after the start we got, it was important for one batter to carry on as long as possible, and take the game deep. Having said that, these things happen, all of us were trying our best; it just didn't happen," stated Rohit.

The Indian skipper also said that the number of ODI matches they have played this year has so far helped them as the ODI World Championship is knocking at the door. The 2023 World Championship marks special for India as they will solely host the tournament for the very first time. Previously they hosted the grand event with co-hosts from fellow Asian countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. 

"The nine ODIs we have played since January, we can take a lot of positives from that. There is no denying that there is a lot of room for improvement. We need to understand where we need to improve. It's a collective failure, we can take a lot of learnings from this series. Credit to the Australians. Both the spinners applied the pressure and so did their seamers," expressed Rohit.