Expected Youngsters To Push Hard On The Field - Rohit Sharma After Vizag Test Win

Rohit Sharma was a happy captain for more reasons than one after winning the second Test in Vizag. India won by 106 runs and leveled the series 1-1 with three more matches to go.

England chasing 399 to win were bowled out 292 in the second innings as India won by 106 runs. The win helped them to jump to the second position on the WTC points table.

Rohit Sharma walked the talk about India’s fielding needing to be better in the second innings. He took a stunning catch at slips off Ollie Pope as he led by example of the Indian fielders needing to step up on the field.

Axar Patel’s high catch to dismiss Joe Root and Shreyas Iyer’s run out to dismiss Ben Stokes were the two most crucial dismissals in the England innings. In both those dismisals the Indian fielders had a big role to play.

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After the win, he spoke about his expectations from the young Indian fielders who stepped up on the field in the second innings.

Rohit Sharma Lauds India’s Fielding After Vizag Test Win

Rohit Sharma is one happy captain after #TeamIndia levelled the series 1⃣-1⃣ in Vizag! 👏 👏#INDvENG | @ImRo45 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Ogf5yY1MaD

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2024

” You know there are a lot of young guys in the squad and that is something that I was expecting from them, from everyone to push really hard on the field and you saw the results on the field now. Very pleased with that and we will continue to do that and that is all Test cricket is all about. You need to repeat good things that you keep doing. If you want to win a series like this, you need to continue to do good work and try and repeat those good things as well” said Rohit Sharma to the broadcasters after the match.

Rohit however, was a touch disappointing with the bat with scores of 14 and 13 in the two innings of the Test match. He was, however, a very proactive captain on the field. He was on point with his DRS calls and bowling changes as was visible on the pitch.

In the post-match presentation after the second Test win, Rohit Sharma spoke about the various aspects of India’s performance that came together to result in a win. He started off by complimenting Jasprit Bumrah for his nine-wicket haul in the match that helped him win the Man of the Match award.

“He is a champion player for us (Bumrah). When you win a game like that, you have to look at the overall performance as well. We were good with the bat. You know winning a Test in these conditions is not easy. Wanted our bowlers to step up and they did that. He looks like a good player, understands his game really well. Long way to go for him, has got a lot to offer for our team. Hope he stays humble” said Rohit.

He concluded by speaking about the Vizag wicket that remained a focal point throughout the second Test. He said that the wicket was a good one for batting while adding that the batters who got in needed to continue for long. Rohit himself along with Shreyas Iyer were the two top-order batters who could not capitalise after getting a start and staying on the wicket for a long time.

“Wickets was really good to bat on. If I have to point anything, lot of the batters got starts but couldn’t get big score. But I understand they’re young and new to the game. Important for us to give them confidence” said Rohit.

The third Test starts in Rajkot on February 15. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be rested after playing two back-to-back Test matches. There is no word yet on the return of Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli. KL Rahul is expected to return in the third Test.

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