"Ek din toh kisi ka bhi kharab hota hai yaar" - Rohit Sharma downplays India's sloppy fielding effort on Day 2 of IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test
Team India captain Rohit Sharma downplayed the side's poor fielding effort on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday, October 17. Terming it as one bad day, he added that he wouldn't be reading too much into it.
India had a forgettable day against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After Day 1 was washed out due to rain, the hosts won the toss and batted first on Day 2. However, they were bowled out for a paltry 46 in 31.2 overs. In response, New Zealand went to stumps at 180-3 after 50 overs.
The hosts missed at least three chances to pick up a wicket in the field, with skipper Rohit himself dropping two catches. Speaking after the end of an extremely disappointing day's play, Rohit remained positive when asked about India's lackadaisical performance in the field. He replied:
"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."
Earlier, Rohit was dismissed for two off 16 balls, knocked over by Tim Southee. Keeper-batter Rishabh Pant top-scored for India with 20 even as five batters walked back to the pavilion without scoring.
"I am hurting a little bit because I made that call" - Rohit Sharma on India's 46 all out
The Indian captain admitted that it was his call to bat first after winning the toss despite the pitch in Bengaluru being under covers for an extended period due to rain. He also conceded that it hurts to see a scoreboard that reads 46 all out. Admitting that he got things wrong, Rohit commented:
"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 definitely hurts to see that number (46), but in 365 days you will make two or three bad calls. That's fine I guess," the 37-year-old concluded.
After India were bowled out for 46, Devon Conway (91) led New Zealand's response. At stumps, Rachin Ravindra was batting on 22 and Daryl Mitchell on 14.