IND vs NZ first Test: Those three hours are not going to dictate what this team is, says Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma defends Indian team after loss to New Zealand, emphasizing one bad performance won't define them.

Skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday (October 20, 2024) asserted that "those three hours" when they collapsed to an unimaginable 46 runs in the first Test against New Zealand, won't define what this Indian team is and any judgement of his players based on that performance will be unfair.

New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets in the opening Test of the three-match series despite a valiant fight by the hosts in the second innings in which they scored 462 runs. Rohit said one bad show won't decide his outfit's ability to play quality cricket and mount a comeback from difficult situation.

"I am not going to look too much into this Test match honestly because those three hours are not going to dictate what this team is. You know, because it will be unfair to think about those three hours and start judging players and talk slightly differently," said Rohit in the post-match press meet.

"It's important to keep a consistent message in the group. We really found a way to come back into this game with the bat in the second innings. Of course, we lost a Test match. But I feel a lot of good things have happened in this game." The captain conceded that India committed some 'small mistakes' but underlined the importance of not "panicking" ahead of the next match.

"We have made small mistakes in this game and we are suffering the consequences. But that doesn't mean that everything is over," "We have lost such matches before and we have made a comeback after that. So, we will try not to think too much about this Test." Rohit said the focus will be on staying strong as a unit ahead of the second Test, starting in Pune from October 24.

"Now, it's just about keeping a very calm atmosphere, and not to send panic messages. It's important that we stay strong and try and see how we can nail that second game." Rohit was delighted to see Sarfaraz Khan stepping up after getting drafted in as a replacement for Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test due to a stiff neck.

"It felt like we were ahead in the game at one stage. We didn't feel like we were 350 behind and that is something that I am really proud of. It's always nice to have these kind of players waiting to play the game.