IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Rohit laments India’s batting collapse after loss to England

India skipper Rohit Sharma lamented his facet’s batting collapse within the second innings of the opening Test towards England right here on Sunday, saying it lacked the battle and character after being set a “gettable” 231-run goal.

India was out for 202 to lose the match by 28 runs, finishing a exceptional turnaround, a day after taking an enormous 190-run first-innings lead.

Ollie Pope laid the muse for a well-known English win with a monumental knock of 196 earlier than debutant left-arm spinner Tom Hartley completed with 7/62 within the second innings.

“Hard to pinpoint where it went wrong. With a lead of 190, we were in control but exceptional batting – probably one of the best I’ve seen in Indian conditions by an overseas player, well played Ollie Pope,” Rohit mentioned on the post-match presentation ceremony.

“I thought 230 was gettable but it wasn’t to be. Thought we bowled in the right areas, we analysed what went well and what didn’t. But you’ve got to take your hat off and say well played to Pope.

“Hard to look at one or two things. We didn’t bat well enough to get to that score. 20-30 runs anything is possible. The lower order fought well and showed the top order (how to do it). We didn’t take some chances but that can happen, it’s the first game of the series,” Rohit added.

England captain Ben Stokes described it because the “greatest” victory since he took over Test captaincy from Joe Root. “Since I’ve taken the captaincy on, where we are and who we’re playing against, it’s 100% our greatest victory,” Stokes mentioned.

“My first time coming out here and being captain in these conditions. I’m a great observer, I’ve watched how India operate in the field. Absolutely thrilled for everyone, Tom Hartley nine wickets, Ollie Pope first Test back after shoulder surgery.

“Tom came into the squad for the first time, he’s heard a lot, had a lot of confidence. I was willing to give him a long spell regardless of what happened. Whether that was the reason he got seven wickets and won us the game, who knows?”

Stokes, who performed an important knock of 70 in England’s first-innings whole of 246 all out, was effusive in his reward for Pope. “(Pope) Seen some special innings from Joe Root, but the whole innings on a difficult wicket, for me that’s the greatest innings by an Englishman on the subcontinent.

“If you lose, you wake up in the morning, still have a good crack and move on. We don’t fear failure. Go out and express yourself and you’ll be all right,” Stokes mentioned.

Player of the match Pope was modest in his evaluation of his epic knock, saying he was bit luckier within the second innings when he received a reprieve from Axar Patel after finishing his century. “To come here to India, toughest place as a batter, and put in a winning performance, it’s head and shoulders above the rest. I got a bit luckier in the second innings, played and missed a few,” Pope mentioned.

“Wanted to be positive with my sweep and reverse-sweep. I’ve tinkered through my career, changed my technique specifically for this series. The family have had early starts but can catch up on some sleep now.”