'We Failed To Respond': Rohit Sharma Again Admits To India's Failure To Counter Kiwi Bowlers

India skipper Rohit Sharma has admitted that even though he expected the wicket to be a bit sticky on the morning of the second day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he didn't think the team will be bowled out for just 46. He added that the visiting bowlers were absolutely on point and he and his band of batters just couldn't respond to the challenge. India paid the price for getting all out for just 46 in the first innings, their lowest-ever total at home, despite special efforts from Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99) in the second essay. On the other hand, New Zealand's Indian-origin batter Rachin Ravindra was at his very best, as weather conditions helped him to negate any threat of Indian bowlers as he brought up his second Test hundred on Day 3 of the game.

New Zealand win the First Test by 8 wickets in Bengaluru.#TeamIndia will look to bounce back in the Second Test.

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/8qhNBrs1td#INDvNZ | @idfcfirstbank pic.twitter.com/6Xg4gYo8It

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 20, 2024

"Games like these happen. We will move forward. We lost a game against England and won four games after that. We know exactly what is needed from each one of us," Rohit said while speaking at the post-match presentation. "I said in my press conference that we knew it would be sticky early on but we didn't expect to be out for 46. New Zealand bowled well and we failed to respond to that," Rohit added. The Indian skipper ensured that he appreciated the knocks of the young guns Sarfaraz and Pant, who built a 177-run partnership for the fourth wicket and a considerable period, made the Kiwi bowlers look like pedestrians. "It was a good effort with the bat in the second innings. We didn't bat well in the first innings. So we knew what was ahead and a couple of guys stood out," Rohit said. India play a must-win second Test against the Kiwis from October 24 in Pune. India last played a Test in this venue in October 2019 against South Africa where Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 254 to take India to an innings win.