Rohit defended yet another poor show by
Shikhar Dhawan (26) and
Murali Vijay not making the most of the batting time in match situation.
"I won`t say it is disappointing that they didn`t bat longer. They had a decent outing in the middle. They got a feel. It is always disappointing to not get runs. It is not an issue. I am sure it is a matter of one good innings and things will change quickly. That is what I feel and I am sure those guys also feel the same," said the stand-in skipper, come to the rescue of his batsmen.
The Indian team now leaves for Auckland on Tuesday and then they have a short turn-around of only one day before the first Test begins in Eden Park on February 6. "We knew it was going to be very hectic. Mentally, we have got to be ready and everyone is ready. Touchwood, there are no injuries. We travel tomorrow, get a day off tomorrow and next day we might have practice before the Test. It is always going to be hectic, all about how you adapt to all this mentally."
Rohit says that with
MS Dhoni and
Virat Kohli coming back into the playing XI for the Test match, it will be a good session together before the match commences. "There is only one day to have a good team session. There are two guys who are missing, MS (Dhoni) and Virat (Kohli). Hopefully, we can go to Auckland and get together."
"It is really important that we get together and play as a team. We have to do well in partnerships, whether it is bowling or batting. If we bat first, we have got to post big totals. If we field first, we got to take early wickets. "That`s what it is, it is very simple. Everyone knows it, hopefully we can go there and try and do this," he said. It is a very difficult challenge that lies ahead of team India. They have lost the five-match ODI series 4-0 and need to salvage this tour in the longer format," Rohit added.
The talented right-hander is ready to put behind the disappointment of a disastrous ODI series and focus on the longer version. "At this point, you have to put everything behind. It was very disappointing to lose the ODI series. But we have to focus on what is coming next. The two Tests will be crucial. This is a young team and we know we will be playing away for a while now. We have to understand that," he was forthright in his assessment.
Rohit admitted that it will be a challenging test against New Zealand in the two-Test series. "Everyone knows what is in front of us. The two Tests will be really challenging. New Zealand are playing some good cricket. We have to be at our best to beat them. I am sure everyone is ready to take the field," he signed off.
