'Going to Melbourne 1-1 gives us confidence’: Rohit Sharma claims India ready to win BGT

Captain Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with India’s performance after the rain-affected third Test against Australia at the Gabba ended in a draw on Wednesday, December 18. With the result, the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 stands at 1-1, giving India momentum as they head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test, starting on December 26.

The Indian skipper admitted that they would not get the full game in Brisbane and the rain interruptions were not great, but his players managed to avoid the defeat, giving them confidence to turn the thing around in the fourth Test of the ongoing five-match Test series at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Rohit Sharma confident as India levels BGT series 1-1 in Brisbane

Speaking to the media, Rohit praised Ravindra Jadeja for his impactful innings and KL Rahul for his strong start at the top. He also hailed the batting efforts of the lower-order batters Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah, as their partnership helped India avoid the follow-on in the Gabba Test.

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Rohit Sharma said at the post-match presentation, “I mean, we will take that. Obviously, to have interruptions like that wasn't great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 pretty much gives us that confidence to go out there and pull things towards us. The situation we were in just after lunch on Day 4 needed someone to stand up and take us through; we knew with the weather, we knew it wasn't going to be a full game.”

KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were the standout performers for India with the bat in the third Test against Australia. While Rahul played a gritty knock of 84 runs, Jadeja played a stunning knock of 77 runs, and the duo added 67 runs to bring India back into the game in the rain-affected Gabba Test.

Rohit Sharma hails Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep after Gabba Test draw

Jadeja was also involved in a 53-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy (16) and later Akash Deep’s fighting 31 and his 47-run partnership with Jasprit Bumrah (18*) helped India to avoid facing defeat in the third Test against Australia at The Gabba.

Praising Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian skipper said, “Credit to Jadeja, the way he played, and Rahul, the way he played was magnificent at the top of the order. The fight that Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah had was great to watch; we have seen them work so hard at the nets on their batting.”

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Rohit Sharma also spoke highly of Bumrah’s exceptional performance and hailed Akash Deep's determination. Despite being relatively new to international cricket, Akash's enthusiasm and effort impressed the Indian captain. Notably, Bumrah scalped nine wickets, Akash got three, and Mohammed Siraj four wickets in the Gabba Test.

Bumrah was outstanding with the ball: Rohit Sharma

Speaking about India’s bowling show at the Gabba, Rohit noted: “Bumrah was outstanding; Akash Deep is a feisty cricketer who always wants to be involved in the game. He is very new to international cricket, but he has worked hard at the nets. He is still new to international cricket, but he has put in the hard yards. There are people in the group to put their hand across and help him going forward.”

The Indian captain signed off by saying that the way Akash batted against Australia at The Gabba and helped the team to avoid the follow-on, they need such “sort of characters” in the side.