WTC India Chances — India’s historic 12-year unbeaten run in home Test series came to an end as New Zealand defeated the hosts by 113 runs in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday. Having previously lost the Bengaluru Test by eight wickets, India faced a rare setback, marking their first Test series loss at home since 2012 against England.
At the post-match press conference, Indian captain Rohit Sharma urged a balanced perspective despite the disappointing outcome. Acknowledging areas for improvement, Rohit emphasized India’s achievements over the past decade, noting the importance of staying composed and offering constructive guidance to the team’s younger players.
Series Lost to New Zealand, Can India Qualify for WTC Final?
“I am not going to overreact after this defeat,” Rohit remarked. “There’s no need to sit in a corner and dissect each inning. Clear messages, keeping them calm, and that is our responsibility [towards youngsters]. We will think about what we didn’t do well and what we can improve, but I don’t need to open a medical kit and start doing things differently. This team has done a lot of good things in the past.”
India’s WTC Hopes Hang by a Thread
India’s fourth loss in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle now complicates their path to the finals. Following their final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, India will need to perform consistently in their upcoming five-Test series in Australia to keep their WTC hopes alive.
In the Pune Test, India’s batting lineup faltered while chasing a steep target of 359, managing only 245 runs on Day 3. New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was instrumental in India’s collapse, claiming 6-104 and ending the match with a total of 13 wickets. Among Indian batsmen, Yashasvi Jaiswal put up a fighting 77 off 65 balls, but his lone efforts were not enough to prevent New Zealand’s victory.
India’s captain concluded by acknowledging the need to avoid premature conclusions regarding the team’s WTC prospects, instead prioritizing focus on improvements. As Rohit’s poised response suggests, India’s strategy will hinge on maintaining stability, building on past successes, and navigating the challenges of a competitive international landscape.
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