Rohit Sharma breaks silence on Indian players dropping catches on day 1 of Bengaluru Test vs New Zealand

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma found himself in the spotlight for reasons he would certainly want to forget. Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was a nightmare for the hosts, both batting and fielding.

After rain washed out the opening day of the first Test, Team India's decision to bat first backfired, with the hosts being bundled out for a mere 46 runs in just 31.2 overs against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Batting collapse and fielding errors haunt Rohit Sharma’s Team India against New Zealand

As if that wasn't bad enough, their sloppy fielding performance later in the day only added to their woes against the Kiwis. The New Zealand cricket team capitalized on India's struggles, finishing Day 2 strongly at 180/3 after 50 overs.

The Indian cricket team had multiple chances to make a breakthrough, but their fielding lapses kept them from seizing the moment. Even the skipper Rohit had a forgettable day, dropping two crucial catches that could have shifted the momentum in India's favor.

KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan also dropped a couple of catches in Bengaluru. Despite the evident poor fielding, Rohit Sharma downplayed India's lackluster performance against New Zealand.

The Indian captain has emphasized that off days are part of the game. While it was evident that the missed chances hurt the hosts, the captain was not ready to dwell too much on it.

Ek din toh kisi ka bhi kharab hota hai yaar: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma said at the press conference after the stumps on Day 2 in Bengaluru: “Ek din toh kisi ka bhi kharab hota hai yaar. Aap logon ka bhi office mein ek din toh kharab hoga. (Anyone can have a bad day. You guys must also have had one bad day in office.) In the last two Test matches, we took some good catches. It would not read too much into it on the basis of one day. It's a game and everyone tries to do well in it. These things happen sometimes.”

Question: Why were so many catches dropped by India today?

Rohit Sharma: “Ek din sabka kharab hota hai yaar, aap logon ka bhi ek din office mein kharab hota hoga, toh ek din se judge mat karo.” 🐐🔥pic.twitter.com/dCnnSPlH3b

— ` (@cutxpull45) October 17, 2024

Rohit’s decision to bat first after winning the toss, despite the pitch conditions not being ideal following extended covers due to rain, was slammed by many after India's poor batting show at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Rohit Sharma hurt by his call to bat first in Bengaluru

As the scoreboard flashed India's dismal total of 46, Rohit admitted that it was a misjudgment on his part, and he stood by his decision-making process, stating that these challenges are part and parcel of the game.

Rohit Sharma signed off by saying, “You see and you try and make the judgment. Sometimes you make the right call, sometimes you don't. I was on the other side of it this time around. I am hurting a little bit because I made that call. But, for us as a team, I think these are the challenges. So, what if we put ourselves under pressure a little bit?

We want to challenge ourselves. This time it did not come off. As a captain, it hurts to see that number (46), but in 365 days you will make two or three bad calls. That's fine I guess.”