Image Credit- BCCI
India defeated England by 107 runs in Visakhapatnam to
square the five-match series, but the batting display is still cause for
concern. No other batsman was able to score a significant amount of runs;
Shubman Gill hit a century against pressure in the second innings, but Yashasvi
Jaiswal made a double-century in the first. While noting that the team is still
young and will gain experience, captain Rohit Sharma stated it is something the
team needs to consider.
Rohit placed a strong focus on triumphing over an
England team that was playing with relative inexperience.
“The wicket was really good to bat on. That’s
where, if I have to point anything, a lot of the batters got the start, but
didn’t convert into a big score, and [that’s] something that we really need to
look into,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
“But, again, having said that, I do understand
they’re very young, [and] they’re very new to this form of the game. So
obviously, it will take some time for us. It’s important from our side to give
them confidence, and this win, obviously, will give them a lot of confidence,
and [tell them] just to go out there and play freely.”
“Like I said, a lot of the guys are quite young
in terms of playing this form of the game for us. So it’ll take some time,
obviously, to be absolutely spot on, but you’ve got to give it to them. [They
need] a little more time, little more freedom as well. And that is something
that we are constantly talking in the changing room that we want these guys to
have some time in the middle, go and play freely without any pressure.”
One Indian player who hasn’t played many Test matches
is Jaiswal, Rohit’s opening partner. The 22-year-old backed up his 80-run
tonnage in the opening Test with his second Test century, which he then
converted into a double in just his sixth Test. Calling the innings of 209
“an exceptional knock”, Rohit remarked that Jaiswal is trying to
seize every chance.
“Looks like a very good player, understands his
game really well,” Rohit said about Jaiswal. “He’s got a long way to
go, of course. He’s just coming to the side now, and every opportunity he’s
trying to make the most of it.
“That was an exceptional knock, what he did in
the first day. Long way to go, like I said. He’s got a lot to offer to our
team, and I hope he stays quite humble and focuses on what is needed for the
team.”