Rohit Sharma’s Statement on IND vs AUS 4th Test: Team India faced a crushing defeat by 184 runs in the Melbourne Test, giving Australia a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar series. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the top scorer for India, with an impressive 84-run innings. Earlier in the day, Australia’s second innings ended at 234 runs, setting India a target of 340 runs to win. However, India suffered early setbacks, losing key players Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli.
Hopes for a Draw in the Series
Rohit Sharma expressed his thoughts on the series, saying, “There is still one more match left. A draw would be a good outcome for the series. When you lose, it hurts more than just the batting performance. Results matter, and when they don’t go in your favour, it feels disheartening. Whether it’s a bowler or a batsman, not being able to turn the game around when given the chance is upsetting. We tried everything possible but couldn’t capitalize on key moments. Credit goes to Australia—they played well.”
Disappointment Over Missed Opportunities
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Rohit added, “It’s very disappointing. It’s not that we didn’t intend to fight; we wanted to go till the end. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do so. Judging only the final session won’t be fair—we need to assess the entire match. We had chances and opportunities but didn’t seize them, allowing Australia to make a comeback, especially when they were 90/6.
“We are here to face challenges and play tough cricket. I don’t want to focus on just one incident during the game. It’s about staying resilient in tough situations and delivering when it matters.”
Rohit Sharma said, “I stand where I am today. Some results didn’t go our way, and as a captain and batter, it is disappointing. Mentally, it’s disturbing, but for now, that’s where we are” pic.twitter.com/pWmnAPocYC
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) December 30, 2024
Rohit Sharma’s Statement on Future Strategy
The Indian Captain shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and future approach, saying, “I will go back to my room and reflect on what more we could have done as a team. We tried our best and gave our all, but Australia fought hard in the last-wicket partnership. We had chances, but we couldn’t capitalize on them. Perhaps that’s why we lost. We knew chasing 340 wasn’t going to be easy. If we had taken wickets in the last two sessions, we could have achieved the target, but their bowlers were outstanding.”
Acknowledging Nitish Reddy’s Strong Performance
Rohit also praised Nitish Reddy for his contribution, stating, “This is Nitish’s first time here, and these conditions can be tough. But he has played really well, showing solid technique and maturity. He has a bright future ahead. We have seen his quality over the years. He’s not focused on statistics; he just wants to play for the country, and that’s what he’s doing on this tour. Unfortunately, he needed a little more support from the other side. The way he handled himself was fantastic.”
Priceless #WTC25 points as Australia take a 2-1 lead over India with a tremendous win in Melbourne 👊#AUSvIND 📝: https://t.co/V3bDj8LroF pic.twitter.com/UuRprdPw6a
— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2024
The State of the Match: Australia’s Dominance
During Australia’s second innings, Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets, and Mohammed Siraj claimed 3 wickets. Mitchell Marsh was run out. Australia had scored 474 runs in their first innings, while India responded with 369.
In the second innings, India’s chase of 340 runs faced setbacks as they lost wickets in quick succession. Despite a half-century from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant’s resilience, India folded for 155 runs. This defeat, after India’s promising position at 112/3, meant Australia secured an 184-run victory.
With this win, Australia takes a 2-1 lead in the five-match series ahead of the final match in Sydney. India will be disappointed as they had the potential to draw the game but ultimately fell short.