Were trying a bit of bantering with Rohit, Aaron Finch says after the day’s play

The third Test between Australia and India in Melbourne saw home side skipper Tim Paine get in verbal action again though his target this time was not his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli but Rohit Sharma. Also, the words that Paine uttered this time were more enjoyed by all who heard them and there were no hard feelings around. The other Australian who played a role in the banter was Aaron Finch and he later spoke about the episode after the day’s play.

The Australian captain brought the Indian Premier League (IPL) to distract Rohit, who is generally known for his big hitting, and go after the bowling and gift his wicket. Paine was heard in a conversation with Finch who was fielding near the batsman over the IPL, telling him that he is not sure whether to support the Royals or Mumbai.

Paine also tried to bait Rohit saying if the latter hit a six, he would support Mumbai Indians, the team that he leads in the IPL.

Rohit didn’t take the bait

The Indian batsman, who made a fifty after a long time in Tests, though was unmoved and it was conceded by Finch in his post-match press conference. “We were just trying to have a bit of banter with Rohit. I asked Rohit if we brought mid-on up if he’d take us on and go into IPL mode and he didn’t take the bait unfortunately,” Finch, who remained unbeaten with his opening partner Marcus Harris at stumps on Day 2 of the Test, said.

Rohit also went unbeaten at 63 off 114 balls with five hits to the boundary as India declared their innings on 443 for 7 before going at the hosts in the six overs that remained for the day. His innings though was not flawless as he top-edged one from Nathan Lyon while sweeping only to be dropped by Peter Siddle at backward square leg. But the half-century will certainly do Rohit’s confidence in Tests a world of good.

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