'Don't forget what we did in Australia and England': Rohit Sharma's defiant response to critics

In South Africa, the Indian cricket team's red-ball campaign got off to a dismal start. The Proteas destroyed Team India, captained by Rohit Sharma, at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. While a few Indian players managed to set records, the team ultimately faded and did not perform well in either the bowling or batting departments. Since it was Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's first match since the ODI World Cup Final, the fans were left feeling disappointed since things did not go well for them.

3 Things you need to know

• Team India is competing in a two-match test series against South Africa
• South Africa won the first test match by an innings and 32 runs
• The next IND vs SA test match will take place at the Newlands Cricket Ground from January 3rd to 7th, 2024 

Also Read: 'This is something India doesn’t do': Manjrekar dissatisfied with IND's underwhelming showcase vs SA

Rohit Sharma backs team India batters after poor display vs SA

Despite the poor show against the Proteas, Team India Captain Rohit Sharma has said there is no need to motivate the batters, saying that some of the rival teams play it better at times, and they know how to bat in the overseas conditions.

"There's no need to motivate them. They are all international cricketers. This performance is just one. Don't forget what we did in Australia and England. We won in Australia with our batting. We drew in England with batting and bowling. It's not like we don't know how to bat outside India. Sometimes opposition plays better than you. It's not like they batted 110 overs and we couldn't even do that. You go and check the scorecards of the last four or five away tours we have done," Rohit said.

The Indian Cricket Team captain, who made his return since coming off the ODI World Cup Final, failed to impress in the red-ball format against the Proteas. The batter also failed to contribute as he was dismissed after just five runs in the first innings. In the second innings, the batter was dismissed for a duck.

Also Read: 'Come out and do the job': Rohit Sharma supports struggling pacer following India's defeat to SA

Team India will now face South Africa in the 2nd test match at the Newlands Cricket Ground from January 3rd to 7th, 2024.