Rohit admits he didn’t learn the pitch effectively

India’s captain Rohit Sharma walks in direction of the pavilion after the top of play on the second day of the primary check cricket match between India and New Zealand, on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, on October 17, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: PTI

India captain Rohit Sharma was frank in his admission that he misjudged the character of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch right here. Rohit additionally mentioned that he’s “hurting somewhat bit” for having determined to bat first.

“We anticipated the pitch to be somewhat flatter. So clearly it was a misjudgment of the pitch. I didn’t learn the pitch effectively sufficient, and now we sit on this state of affairs,” Rohit mentioned on the press convention after India was shot out for 46 on the primary day of the Check in opposition to New Zealand on Thursday.

“I’m hurting somewhat bit as a result of I made that decision. However as a group, we need to problem ourselves. This time round, it didn’t come off. We obtained bowled out for 46. As a captain, it positively hurts to see that quantity,” Rohit added.

On the inclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav on the expense of seamer Akash Deep, Rohit mentioned, “We felt there was not a lot grass on the pitch. We added Kuldeep as a result of he’s daring on flat pitches and he has taken wickets.”

The Mumbai batter is hopeful that Rishabh Pant will recuperate rapidly from the blow he obtained to the knee.

“Sadly, the ball hit his knee cap – the identical leg which he had surgical procedure earlier. He has somewhat little bit of swelling, and the muscle groups are fairly tender. It was a precautionary measure (to return off the sphere). Rishabh didn’t need to take a danger as a result of he has gone by way of an enormous surgical procedure on that specific leg. Hopefully he can recuperate tonight and we’ll see him again on the sphere tomorrow,” Rohit mentioned.

The captain defended the choice to ship Virat Kohli in at one-drop. “After a very long time, Ok.L. Rahul has discovered himself a spot at quantity six. We need to make him bat there. The skilled gamers are those who should take that additional accountability. This time, it was Virat. We requested him whether or not he can bat at quantity three. He was prepared,” Rohit mentioned.