'It was a misjudgment on my part' - Rohit Sharma admits to misreading conditions ahead of first Test vs NZ

The second day of the first Test in the three-match series between India and New Zealand was one to leave behind in the past for the hosts. They were disintegrated to the very core by a pulverizing Kiwi attack spearheaded by Matt Henry's five-wicket haul and William O'Rourke's four-fer to register a lamentable 46 in their first innings, India's lowest Test score on home soil and their third-lowest in the format. More surprising was their decision to opt to bat on an overcast day consisting of gloomy skies all over Bengaluru and a damp pitch.

Skipper of the Indian team, Rohit Sharma, conceded to not gauging how the pitch would truly play out and blamed shot selections as the main parameter which let down the batters.

“We thought it wouldn’t help the seamers much after the first session or so. There wasn’t much grass either. We expected it to be much flatter than it turned out to be. It was a misjudgment on my part, and I couldn’t read the pitch well. On a pitch where there was assistance for the seamers, and now that we were bowled out for 46, you could say the shot selection wasn’t up to the mark. It was a bad day. Sometimes, you plan to do something but fail to execute,” stated Rohit during the post-match press conference.

Rohit also spoke on the exact reason which saw ace batter, Virat Kohli, come in at No. 3, a batting position which he has never occupied in the longest format since August 2016.

“We don’t want to touch KL’s batting position much. He has found a place at 6, so let’s give him a rope there. Same with Sarfaraz, we wanted to give him a similar position to where he bats because he is new to international cricket as well. So, Virat was the one who wanted to take responsibility. We had a discussion, and he was fine with it. That’s a good sign that players are taking responsibility,” mentioned Rohit.

Also Read: 'All Out 46 the new All Out 36?' - Cricket Australia takes dig at India's lowest home Test total

Hopefully, he’ll be back in this match: Rohit

Rohit also provided an update on wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's injury, which occurred after copping a blow to his right knee on the last delivery of the 37th over. 

“It was a direct blow to his knee. He was in pain. He has got some swelling on his knee. It’s the same knee on which he had the surgery. So, Rishabh and all of us don’t want to take any risks. Hopefully, he’ll be back in this match,” added Rohit.

Also Read: India vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 2 Stats Review: India's lowest team total at home and other stats

Dhruv Jurel stepped in for Pant and kept wickets for the remainder of the day. New Zealand are currently placed at 180/3 in 50 overs with Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell occupying the crease and navigating the visitors to Stumps.