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India's reign as undefeated against New Zealand in Test matches on home soil came to an abrupt end with a crushing 107-run defeat in the first Test in Bengaluru. This marked the first time in 36 years that India has suffered a Test loss to New Zealand in their own backyard. The Kiwis' victory, their first in India since 1988, was secured with eight wickets in hand on the final day, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of Indian fans.
Captain Rohit Sharma, who became the first Indian captain to lose a Test match against New Zealand in India since 1987, reflected on the defeat with a mix of disappointment and determination. While acknowledging the team's valiant effort in the second innings, particularly the crucial partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, Sharma squarely placed the blame on their abysmal first innings performance. India's paltry score of 46 runs in their first innings set the tone for a challenging match, and despite a fighting recovery in the second innings, the deficit proved too much to overcome.
Sharma's assessment of the defeat highlighted the importance of a solid start in Test cricket. He stressed that when facing such a large deficit, it's difficult to recover, emphasizing the need for better focus and execution in the initial stages of the match. Despite the setback, Sharma remained optimistic about the team's chances in the upcoming Test matches, drawing parallels with their previous encounter against England where a similar loss was followed by four consecutive victories. He expressed confidence that the team will analyze the mistakes and learn from the experience, ensuring they come back stronger in the next encounter.
Source: 'When you are 350 behind ... ': Rohit Sharma reflects on defeat to New Zealand