Watch: “I Stand Where I Stand”

India captain Rohit Sharma attended the press conference after the team’s defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. As expected, Rohit was asked some tough questions after a disappointing performance both individually and as a team.

However, there was a moment when Rohit Sharma was at his best. The Indian skipper was asked where he stands now as a captain and batsman after this loss. Rohit gave a witty reply and said, “I stand where I stand today.”

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Rohit Sharma backs India to settle the series in Sydney

Further speaking about the defeat, Rohit Sharma spoke about his batting performance and claimed that it will be a challenge. He was disappointed with his individual performance and the team’s performance as well.

“A lot of things I try to do are not as a batsman. It’s a mental challenge. It’s a big disappointment. So far, that’s the situation we’re in,” Rohit told reporters.

However, the Indian skipper remains confident about his team and feels India will look to end the series on a high with a win in Sydney. Australia is currently 2-1 in the series.

“There are things we need to look at as a team, I also need to look at them personally. There is still a game left. If we play well, it will be a double. A draw would be really great (the result).” He added.

Rohit Sharma press conference: I stand where I stand today. A few results have not been in our favor as a leader, which is disappointing. Mentally it’s annoying. But as of now, this is a situation where there are things that we as a team have to look at. #BGT #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/6Xp7cT5Wt4

– Shadia Abbas (@abbas_shaz) December 30, 2024

Jasprit Bumrah continues his wicket-taking style

Meanwhile, the fifth day of the Test began with Jasprit Bumrah taking another five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Bumrah finished with 5-57 in Australia’s second innings. He already took 4-99 in the first innings of the match.

With India needing 340 runs to win, skipper Rohit Sharma looked strong in attack but was dismissed for another single-digit score (9). KL Rahul was also dismissed cheaply which resulted in an injury to Virat Kohli.

Kohli looked strong in the beginning but lost his wicket at lunch. He was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for just 5. With three wickets falling, Rishabh Pant joined Yashasvi Jaiswal and both began the rebuilding work.

Australia achieves an unforgettable win

Both of them changed their aggressive playing style and showed patience to frustrate the Australian bowlers. Jaiswal and Pant played the entire second session without losing a wicket. With Australia needing seven wickets in the final session, the match looked to be heading towards a draw.

But Travis Head picked up Pant’s wicket to once again open the floodgates for the hosts. India kept losing wickets in bunches against the relentless Australian attack. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed in controversial fashion for a well-made 84 off 208 balls