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Rohit Sharma was quite candid as he sat down for the press conference after the conclusion of Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Notably, the Indian side was bowled out for a meager 46 runs in the first innings.
Courtesy of the brilliance shown by the Kiwi bowlers, India recorded their lowest-ever Test total on home soil and third-lowest overall. Before facing questions from reporters, Rohit Sharma’s cheeky two-word statement sent everyone into a frenzy.
As he sat down to take questions after Day 2 of the Bengaluru Test, Rohit said:
“Chalao talwaar.” (Bring out the knives)
Matt Henry and William O'Rourke were the wreckers-in-chief for the Kiwis, as the former finished with a five-wicket haul and the latter picked up four wickets.
Henry’s victims included Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav, while O'Rourke got the big wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah. Tim Southee initiated India’s collapse by dismissing the skipper.
“It was my misjudgement” - Rohit Sharma takes blame for opting to bat first
Starting off the press conference candidly, the Indian skipper made some honest admissions about the game, stating that he failed to read the pitch well. He admitted that opting to bat after winning the toss was a wrong call and the team eventually faced consequences.
Rohit’s decision backfired as soon as the game commenced on Day 2, and his wicket initiated India’s batting collapse. Speaking on his call at the toss, the Indian skipper noted:
"I am hurting to see this score of 46 as a captain as it was my call to bat first. But one or two bad calls in a year is quite alright. It was my misjudgement to bat first. I was expecting a flat pitch, but I couldn't read the pitch well."
New Zealand lead by 134 runs after closing Day 2 at 180/3 in 50 overs. India's spin trio of Jadeja, Ashwin, and Kuldeep bagged one wicket apiece.
