“Fighting Spirit Defines Us,” Says Indian Skipper After Draw Against Australia
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, praised his team’s fighting spirit following the drawn third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Brisbane. Persistent rain interruptions played a decisive role in ending the match in a stalemate, with India narrowly missing the opportunity to chase down the target set by Australia.
A Team That Doesn’t Back Down
Speaking during the post-match press conference, Rohit emphasized the resilience that has become a hallmark of the Indian team. “Our mindset has been clear for some time now—no matter the situation, we don’t give up easily. We keep fighting,” Rohit said.
He noted that even while bowling in Australia’s second innings, the team maintained high intensity. “We aimed to bowl them out for 60-70 runs because we knew they would try to score quickly. That creates opportunities, and we managed to get some. However, chasing 270-280 in 50 overs wasn’t feasible with the limited time left,” Rohit explained.
Confidence Booster for Melbourne
Rohit highlighted how the team’s performance in Brisbane could provide a morale boost heading into the next match in Melbourne. “The opposition is under pressure too. Until you apply pressure, you won’t know how they react. We’ve chased down 328 here in the past, and they’ll remember that. It gives us confidence for Melbourne, but we know we must start fresh,” he said.
He acknowledged that conditions in Melbourne would differ, with less movement likely for the bowlers, requiring the team to adjust their strategies.
Australia’s Bold Declaration and India’s Solid Start
Australian captain Pat Cummins made an aggressive declaration at 89/7, setting India a target of 275 runs. Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul looked composed against the Australian pacers, finding gaps and scoring runs with well-timed shots. However, rain soon disrupted play, and as the delays continued, a result became improbable.
The match ended with both teams shaking hands, as the series remains finely poised.
Looking Ahead
With the series tied after the third Test, India will head to Melbourne aiming to seize the momentum. Rohit’s comments underline the team’s determination to continue fighting, ensuring an exciting continuation of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
