NEW DELHI: Skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday issued a strong message to India’s bowling unit, after the disappointing loss in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide, stressing that Jasprit Bumrah cannot carry the entire burden alone.
Speaking candidly, Rohit emphasised the need for collective responsibility from all bowlers. The Indian captain urged the team to step up and support their star pacer, calling for greater contributions from the rest of the bowling attack as Bumrah’s exceptional skills can’t be expected to deliver from both ends.
India’s over dependence on Jasprit Bumrah visible in Adelaide
India suffered a 10-wicket loss to Australia in the second Test, with Jasprit Bumrah being the lone standout performer during the home team’s first innings, claiming a four-wicket haul.
“We are not just playing with one bowler. There are other bowlers also who will have to take responsibility and get the job done for the team, be it (Mohammed) Siraj, Harshit Rana, Nitish Reddy, Akash Deep or Prasidh (Krishna),” skipper Rohit said at the post-match presser, sending a loud and clear message for his bowling unit.
The captain acknowledges the inexperience in the lineup but believes the players will gain confidence and improve over time.
“These bowlers have just arrived in Test cricket, it’s important to give them confidence. Whenever they play a match, it’s important to give them confidence. We keep planning and discussing. But you can’t expect Bumrah to bowl from both the ends and from morning to evening,” Rohit said.
“It’s very important to manage (all) bowlers. We discuss all this with each other. We talk to the bowler and then we make the decisions.”
Rohit stated that he takes the workload management of bowlers very seriously, emphasising its importance for their long-term success and well-being.
“I speak with him (Bumrah) whenever he finishes a spell. I enquire about how his body is feeling, is he (feeling) fresh or not? It’s a five-match series, we want Bumrah to play all the matches and remain fresh,” Rohit said.
Rohit Sharma’s struggle continues
Rohit backs young pacer Harshit Rana
Young Harshit Rana was hammered for 86 runs in just 16 overs, but the skipper was adamant about not making the two-Test youngster the scapegoat for India’s comprehensive defeat in Adelaide.
“Rana didn’t do anything wrong in the first Test. He did very well. He gave the team crucial breakthroughs when they were needed. I believe that if someone hasn’t done anything wrong, he cannot be left out without a reason because then what confidence does the team get?
“It happens, sometimes the team doesn’t get what it wants. He came up against a good batsman who put pressure on him. But he has a heart and a passion so we should back such (qualities in a player),” Rohit said.
“The player might think that you give me one match but leave me out in the next. This is not good for any player or any team, that’s what I think. We should assess what the situation is and how helpful the conditions are,” he explained.
While Rohit emphasised that he doesn’t want to judge Rana based on just one game, he made it clear that if a change is necessary, it will be made for the benefit of the team.
“But judging someone after one match is not the right thing. We always keep (all) options open for any player to play since we have to win a Test match. If we must make such changes to win a Test, we will do that.”
