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IndiaThe recent 184-run defeat against Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has left fans and players stunned. This defeat not only gave Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match series but also raised questions about India’s performance under pressure. Captain Rohit SharmaVisibly disappointed, he pointed to a critical turning point that contributed to this major setback.
A test match with a lot at stake
The MCG was abuzz with anticipation as India faced a daunting target of 340 runs after Australia posted 474 in their first innings and 234 in their second. Despite the valiant efforts of Yashasvi Jaiswalwho scored 84 runs, India’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure, particularly after the controversial dismissal of RISHABH PANTS. The team lost their last eight wickets by just 42 runs, sealing their fate in the match and potentially jeopardizing their chances of qualifying in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Rohit Sharma’s candid admission
After the match, Rohit did not hesitate to address the elephant in the room. He stressed that Australia’s last-minute partnership was a decisive factor that cost India dearly. The association between Natan Lyon and Scott Boland he added a frustrating 61 runs to Australia’s total, which ultimately proved instrumental in securing their victory.
Rohit expressed his disappointment candidly. His reflections underscore a broader concern about India’s inability to capitalize on critical moments during matches, especially when they appear to have the advantage.
“It’s quite disappointing. It’s not that we entered with the intention of abandoning the fight. We wanted to fight until the end and unfortunately we couldn’t do it. It will be difficult to evaluate only the last two sessions. If you look at the overall test match, we had our opportunities but we didn’t take them. We had Australia 90 for 6. We know things can get tough, but we want to play tough cricket in tough situations. I don’t want to look at a situation. We weren’t good enough. “I went back to my room and thought about what more we could have done as a team, but we threw everything we had, but they fought hard, especially that last wicket partnership, which probably cost us the game there.” he lamented during the postgame presentation.
Also READ: ‘You are a burden on the team, happy retirement’: Fans brutally roast Rohit Sharma after fight at MCG Test
The collapse: a story of lost opportunities
The collapse of Indian batting was marked by a series of unfortunate events. After promising starts from key players including Jaiswal and Pant, the team faltered when it mattered most. Rohit noted that while they aimed to build a platform for a successful chase, they failed to execute their plans effectively.
“We knew that 340 was not going to be easy. We tried to set a platform and keep wickets in hand during the last two sessions but they played perfectly too. We wanted to go after the goal, but we didn’t set the platform on our end. There are ways to win games and we can’t find ways to win games.“Rohit added.
The match showed a stark contrast between India’s aspirations and their execution on the field. The Indian bowlers had done well to restrict Australia at one point, but failing to dismiss the lower order batsmen allowed Australia to set a challenging target that proved insurmountable.
Implications for the WTC campaign in India
This defeat has major implications for India’s World Test Championship ambitions. With their winning percentage dropping to 52.77%, they now find themselves in third place and must win their final test to keep their hopes alive. On the contrary, Australia’s victory has strengthened their position, increasing their chances of qualifying for the WTC finals with a win rate now at 61.45%.
