IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma Reveals Why Team India Does Not Play First-Class Practice Matches After Centurion Test Loss

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma revealed the reason behind India not playing first-class practice matches after losing the first Test in Centurion. The Men in Blue have thus fallen behind in this Test series which consists of just two matches.

India now can at best level the series if they win the next Test in Cape Town as their dream of winning a Test series in South Africa remains a distant dream. India were bowled out for 131 in 34.1 overs with Virat Kohli scoring 76. Shubman Gill with 26 was the next top-scorer as none of the other Indian batters could add anything substantial.

Rohit Sharma scored 50 and 0 in the two innings and did not look comfortable at all against the pace of Kagiso Rabada. As an experienced opener who has done well in overseas Test matches, Rohit was expected to give India a good start but that did not happen. In overseas conditions, India’s weakness against the moving ball was once again exposed.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Watch – Virat Kohli Perishes To Kagiso Rabada’s Sensational Catch

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rohit said the wicket that traveling teams get for practice matches is very different from the ones used in the series. India scored 245 and 131 in the two innings of the Test match and played 101 overs. South Africa in their first innings played 108 overs.

Pitches In Practice Games Different From What We Get In Matches: Rohit Sharma

“We have been playing practice matches in the last 4-5 years. We also tried to play first-class matches. The wicket that you get in the matches, you won’t get that in the practice matches. It is better that we prepare according to our requirements, we prepare the pitch according to our requirements. We can have control of the ground,” said Rohit.

Rohit further recalled saying that the balls bounced to knee height the last time India toured South Africa in 2018. India lost the Test series 2-1 back then.

“When we went to Australia the last time when we played in South Africa in 2018, the ball didn’t bounce beyond the knee-roll on practice pitches. But here, the ball flies over your head. So, all these things were considered and we decided to prepare according to our own style,” Rohit added.

While the Indian batters and bowlers both struggled, the South African bowlers came storming back in the second innings after gaining a useful lead of 160-odd. Kagiso Rabada picked up seven wickets in the match. Debutant Nandre Burger got the ball to move a lot picking up seven wickets in the match. Marco Jansen picked up four wickets in the match and scored an unbeaten 84 in the first innings.

Dean Elgar’s knock of 185 was the real difference between the two sides. He held up one end allowing the other batters to bat freely. His partnership of 116 with Jansen was another big plus for the hosts that left the visitors frustrated.

The second Test will be played in Cape Town from January 3-7. South African skipper Temba Bavua is likely to miss the second Test with a hamstring injury he suffered during the Test match.

Also Read: IND vs SA: “On Days Like This Captain Needs To…” – Rohit Sharma After 1st Test Loss