Melbourne, December 30, 2024: INDvAUS 4th Test : Indian cricket fans were left disheartened after the national team suffered a devastating 184-run defeat against Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Monday. A visibly upset Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, admitted that the defeat was “mentally disturbing,” acknowledging that his team had failed to rise to the challenge in the crucial match. The defeat leaves India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, with the fifth and final Test scheduled to begin in Sydney on January 3.
In a candid post-match interview, Rohit reflected on the team’s lack of fight in Melbourne. “It is mentally disturbing when you can’t do what you have come to do,” he said, his frustration palpable. “It’s pretty disappointing. There are ways to win games, and we fell short in finding ways to win the game here. We wanted to fight till the end, but unfortunately, we couldn’t do it.”
Rohit Sharma Admits “Mentally Disturbing” Defeat as India Crumbles in INDvAUS Melbourne Test
The Indian team had a golden opportunity to capitalize on Australia’s precarious position at 90 for six in their second innings. With the lead not yet touching 200, the visitors failed to take advantage of the situation, allowing Australia to reach a formidable target of 340 runs.
“We had Australia at 90 for 6. We know things can get tough, but we wanted to play tough cricket from hard situations. But we were not good enough. I went back to my room and thought about what else we could have done as a team,” Rohit admitted, showing signs of introspection.
Despite the challenging target, Rohit emphasized that India aimed to chase the daunting total. “We knew 340 wasn’t going to be easy. We tried to set a platform and keep wickets in hand for the last two sessions, but they bowled perfectly as well. We wanted to go for the target, but we didn’t set the platform from our side,” he said.
Praise for Individual Performances Amidst Team Struggles
Amid the team’s overall struggles, Rohit found moments to praise individuals. Nitish Kumar Reddy, making his debut in Australia, impressed with a solid hundred in India’s first innings. “He’s coming here for the first time, and these conditions can get really tough. But he showed great character, solid technique, and he’s got everything to be successful at this level,” Rohit said.
The captain also lauded Jasprit Bumrah for his relentless effort in the bowling attack. “Absolutely brilliant. We’ve been watching him for so many years now. He came here and got the job done. He’s not a statistical person. He just wants to play for the country and do well for the team, but unfortunately, he hasn’t got a lot of support from the other side,” Rohit noted.
INDvAUS Australia’s Steely Resolve
On the other side, Australian captain Pat Cummins defended his decision to not declare their second innings, explaining that his team wanted to ensure no chance of an Indian victory. “We wanted to take an India victory out of the equation,” Cummins said. “We had plenty of runs to play with, and as many helmets around the bat as we could.”
Cummins also praised his team’s resilience, particularly the lower-order contribution. “We put a lot of work into our lower-order batting. We work a lot on how best to bowl to the opposition batters but also how we can contribute with the bat,” he said. Reflecting on the match, he added, “What an amazing Test match. I reckon one of the best I’ve been part of. The crowd all week was ridiculous, and it’s been amazing to be part of.”
Looking Ahead to the Final Test
As India prepares for the series decider in Sydney, the team must regroup after this crushing defeat. Rohit’s reflection on the loss signals the urgency for the team to find their fighting spirit before the final Test. While Australia has taken a commanding lead in the series, India will need to make drastic improvements in both their batting and bowling departments if they hope to salvage a victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
