India took a 1-0 lead in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, defeating Australia by an innings and 132 runs in Nagpur on 11 February, Saturday. India wrapped up the match on Day 3 of the opening Test match, courtesy a sensational bowling performance from Ravi Ashwin in Australia’s second innings. India bowled out Australia in just a little over one session of play to assert their dominance in the series.
India captain Rohit Sharma led the way early in the first innings, guided India to a 400-run total, that Australia fell short of by a huge margin. Speaking at the post-match presentation after the match, Sharma was quizzed about his plan to tackle the Australians in a track that helped spin.
“To be honest, in the last few pitches we have been playing in India, you need to have a key plan. I have played a lot of matches here in Mumbai, in pitches where the ball turns a lot. I have started to think, what can threaten me, and trying to pan out my plans. Sometimes you need to be a little unorthodox, need to use the feet. You cannot allow the bowlers at one spot every time. Need to do something different. It is important to see what are your strengths, and what you can do. And I just go and try to do what I can do,” Sharma said in the post match presentation.
The captain spoke about injuries that kept him out of the Bangladesh Test series, and said that this was nothing new for him.
“Was unfortunate to have missed a few Test matches. But happy to be back, play and do well for the team. I played two Test matches. After I became the captain, had missed two matches due to Covid-19. Then I missed three matches due to injury. A freak thumb injury followed against Bangladesh. But I know how to come back after injuries as I have done it in the past,” Sharma said.
India will next play Australia in New Delhi on 17 February.
