IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma Claims That Losing Against South Africa Isn't As Daunting As Losing The World Cup

Rohit Sharma made his much-awaited return to action in the recently concluded first Test between India and South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The India captain had not played a competitive game since the heartbreaking defeat in the World Cup final last month.

The comeback, however, did not go as he would have liked as South Africa inflicted a humiliating defeat on his team. Asked to bat first, India were all out for just 245 runs in the first innings despite a century from KL Rahul. At one stage, India were reeling at 121 for 6 but Rahul’s century helped them post a 200-plus total.

The bowlers also failed to make a mark as South Africa posted a huge total of 408 runs to take a big lead of 163 runs. Opener Dean Elgar led the charge with the bat, scoring 185 while debutant David Bedingham (56) and Marco Jansen (84*) also played crucial knocks. For India, Jasprit Bumrah picked up four wickets while Mohammed Siraj accounted for two.

Rohit Sharma on the loss:

India’s performance with the bat in the second innings was dismal too as they were bowled out for just 131 runs inside 35 overs. Virat Kohli (76) and Shubman Gill (26) were the only India batters into double figures. For South Africa, Nandre Burger picked up 4 wickets while Jansen picked up 3 as the hosts won the Test inside three days.

After the defeat, Rohit Sharma was asked whether the defeat in the Test was similar to the heartbreaking defeat in the World Cup final last month. In reply, the right-handed batsman said:

“I can’t compare the World Cup to the Test series. Obviously winning the Test series here would be awesome and it is going to be an extraordinary feat for us. But the World Cup is World Cup, in my books, both are separate a loss is a loss.

“Losses are quite disappointing whether it is a World Cup loss or a loss like that but the weightage both tournaments have are quite different. So it is very hard for me to compare World Cup loss to this. You try to move on you have an opportunity in Cape Town where if we play to our potential we can turn things around,” added Rohit Sharma.

The loss in the first Test also ended India’s hopes of winning their first-ever Test series in South Africa. They will now be looking to bounce back and win the second Test to avoid a series loss. The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to be played on January 3.