Virat Kohli led team India lost the first Test by 72 runs, mostly due to the dismal batting performance in both the innings. Barring a brilliant 93 from Hardik Pandya, none of the other batsmen made any real contribution as India failed to chase a target of 208.
After the humiliating loss, everyone raised the question regarding Rohit Sharma surprise inclusion over India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. The decision didn’t bear fruit as Rohit recorded scores of 11 and 10 in his two innings.
However, after the match, Kohli revealed the reasoning behind the selection.
“Well, we decided to go on current form. Rohit has scored runs in the last three Test matches that he has played, and he was batting well, even in the series against Sri Lanka,” said Kohli in the post-match media conference.
“These things can always be looked at in hindsight — thinking what if or what if not. But we decided to go with this combination and current form was definitely the criterion,” added Kohli.
