In the inaugural match of the 5-match test series in Hyderabad, Rohit Sharma led India clashed with England in a contest that would be etched in cricket history for its dramatic twists and turns. The remarkable come-from-behind victory by England unfolded as a testament to their resilience and determination.
During the first innings, India appeared to hold the upper hand as they bowled out their opponents with a significant margin. Despite the effectiveness of Joe Root, the visitors struggled, and the home team secured a substantial 190-run lead. The majority of teams, faced with such a situation, often concede defeat, but England and Bazball defied the odds.
Despite a promising start in their second innings, England found themselves at 163/5, raising doubts about the match’s outcome on day three. However, Ollie Pope’s spectacular performance, including a hundred and crucial partnerships with Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, and Hartley, turned the tide in England’s favor.
Pope’s contribution extended beyond his batting prowess. After scoring a magnificent 196, he took on the role of a close-in fielder, making two exceptional catches off Hartley’s bowling, further denting India’s hopes. Pope’s heroics, along with disciplined bowling from England’s spinners, kept the pressure on the Indian team.
As the day progressed, India faced a collapse, losing wickets rapidly. Despite a fifty stand between Bharat and Ashwin, Hartley’s precision with the ball proved pivotal. Stokes extended the play with an additional thirty minutes, and in a dramatic turn, Ashwin lost his balance playing an erratic shot.
With less than 30 runs needed, Siraj and Bumrah tried to defy the odds, but Hartley’s brilliance with the ball persisted. In the last over of the day, the Indian No. 11 was bowled out, sealing England’s extraordinary victory in a match that will be remembered for its twists, turns, and the unwavering spirit of both teams.
After the challenging game, Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, expressed his disappointment and acknowledged that the team had collectively fallen short. He emphasized that it was difficult to pinpoint specific issues, stressing that the failure was a collective one.
Reflecting on the first innings of both teams, Rohit believed that India was very much in the game at that point. However, he pointed out that the team didn’t bat well enough to reach the target they had set. Despite the challenging situation, Rohit had hoped that bowlers like Siraj and Bumrah would prolong the game into the fifth day, creating an opportunity with an additional 20-30 runs.
Rohit praised the resilience of the lower order, noting their commendable fight and character. He highlighted their determination as an example for the top-order, emphasizing the need to display bravery and fight it out in challenging situations. Rohit expressed his belief that the team had not taken enough chances with the bat, acknowledging that it was part of the game.
Understanding that it was the first game of the series, Rohit remained optimistic about the learning opportunities it presented. He hoped that the players would glean valuable lessons from the experience, particularly emphasizing the importance of showing character and learning to be brave in adverse conditions. Overall, Rohit Sharma’s post-match comments reflected a blend of disappointment, acknowledgment of collective responsibility, and a hopeful outlook for improvement in the upcoming matches.
IND vs ENG: Fans Troll Rohit Sharma After He Wanted Siraj And Bumrah To Take The Game To Final Day
Rohit Sharma said: “Hard to look at one or two things. Overall, we failed as a team. After the first innings of their batting and our batting, I thought we were very much in the game. We didn’t bat well enough to get to that score. I wanted them (Siraj and Bumrah) to take the game to the fifth day. 20-30 runs, anything is possible. The lower order actually fought really well there and showed the top-order that you need to fight it out. You need to show character, you need to be brave enough, which I thought we weren’t. We wanted to take some chances, we didn’t take chances with the bat. But that can happen. It’s the first game of the series, I hope the guys can learn from that.”
Rohit Sharma: "I wanted Siraj & Bumrah to take the game to Final Day"#INDvENG
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) January 28, 2024
https://twitter.com/SaiKingkohli/status/1751587356686311646
In case you’ve forgotten, you’re an opener and captain
— Vedaant Aggarwal (@vedaantagg) January 28, 2024
Kya suar aadmi h
— Aarav (@sigma__male_) January 28, 2024
From dominating world cricket to Depending on bowlers to win games
We've come a long way
— Mel (@MythicalMelmet1) January 28, 2024
When he himself couldn’t survive the spin test on the 4th day pitch lmao
— Bhavjyot Singh Chadha (@bhavjyot_sc30) January 28, 2024
Really he said that ?
What a disgrace.— Rahul (@Rahul222redmi) January 28, 2024
Sharam bech khai bhai ne 🤣.
— Abhimanyu Pratap Singh (@masterrenegade9) January 28, 2024
