Watch: Rohit Sharma throws ‘Naye Ladke’ under the bus after Melbourne Test defeat

India National Cricket Team skipper Rohit Sharma came up with a massive statement after the team's loss to Australia in the fourth Test of the series. He said that youngsters who got settled at the crease should've played a longer innings for the team.

Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the India National Cricket Team faced another shambolic loss in Test cricket. They were at the receiving end of an 184-run thrashing at the hands of the Australia National Cricket Team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.

India display a poor batting effort while chasing 340 runs

India were set a massive target of 340 runs to chase in the game, and they came up with a horrible effort with the bat. Rohit Sharma's horrible run with the bat continued as the premier batter went on to score just 9 runs and it marked his 9th consecutive failure in the longest format of the game.

Along with him senior players in KL Rahul, who bagged a duck, and Virat Kohli (5) were back in the hut early as India came under massive pressure. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 84 runs, looked the only settled batter in the team and was supported well by Rishabh Pant (30).

The two batted the entire post-lunch session, and with the way they were going, it looked like the India National Cricket Team would save the game. But that wasn't the case as both the batters got out while playing the shots which they could've avoided.

A lot of guys that you talk about, who made runs, could have played longer - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma admitted that there was a great opportunity for them to draw or even win. But he pointed out that youngsters could've batted for longer periods, stressing that they will learn from this. Speaking to reporters, he explained:

"There was an opportunity to bring towards us or draw it, we tried. But again, a lot of guys that you talk about, who made runs, could have played longer, but they are new in the team and will learn. Hopefully, they will be able to do it in future."

Rohit Sharma doesn’t have any shame left ??? Instead of taking the blame, brother is saying youngsters , could’ve played long innings.

What the hell you were doing as an opener ?
What the hell Virat was doing ?

pic.twitter.com/ZcGKI8lCWR

— Pujara’s Kiki (@FlyingSlip_) December 30, 2024

I've been very careful - Rohit Sharma on Jasprit Bumrah's workload

Rohit Sharma also talked about Jasprit Bumrah, saying that they are keeping in mind his workload and talking to the pacer about it. He stressed that they are trying to maximise the fast bowler's form, but at the same point of time, they are very careful about him. He added:

"Yeah, there is. To be honest, he has bowled a lot of overs. There is no doubt about it. But again, every Test match we play, we keep that in mind. You know, the workloads of all the bowlers. But again, if somebody is in such a great form, you want to try and maximise that form how much ever you can. And that is what we've been trying to do with Bumrah.

"But there comes a time where you need to step back a little bit and give him that little bit of extra breather as well. So, we've been very careful. I've been very careful. I talk to him about how he feels and stuff like that. So, yeah. Those things should be managed carefully. And I'm trying to do that on the field."

Jasprit Bumrah bowled around 53 overs in the Test match at MCG, which is the most by him in a game in his career. Overall in the series, he has bowled 141.2 overs, which is the most by any pacer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Also Read: Ajit Agarkar directly told to back Virat Kohli and drop Rohit Sharma from Test team