Rohit Sharma praises lower-order grit as India head to Melbourne with confidence

NEW DELHI: Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday praised the resilience of the lower-order batters after India salvaged a crucial draw in the rain-affected third Test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.
The result leaves the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, giving India a morale boost ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit expressed confidence in his team’s ability to carry the momentum forward.
"I mean, we will take that. Obviously to have interruptions like that wasn't great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 pretty much gives us that confidence to go out there and pull things towards us," Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
"The situation we were in just after lunch (on Day 4), needed someone to stand up and take us through, we knew with the weather, we knew it wasn't going to be a full game."
KL Rahul shone once again with a top score of 84, while Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty 77 anchored a crucial lower-order resistance.
The final-wicket pair of Akash Deep (31) and Jasprit Bumrah (10 not out) added 47 runs, helping India avoid the follow-on before they were bowled out for 260 in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 445.
"Credit to (Ravindra) Jadeja, the way he played and (KL) Rahul, the way he played was magnificent at the top of the order, the fight that Akash Deep and Bumrah (gave) was great to watch, we have seen them work so hard at the nets (on their batting)."
India’s bowlers also delivered in the second innings, with intermittent rain and lightning interrupting play on the final day. Bumrah was exceptional, taking 3 for 18, while Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj contributed with two wickets each.
Australia’s aggressive second-innings declaration at 89 for 7 set India a target of 275 in 54 overs, but bad light and rain ensured no further play after the early stages of the chase.
"Coming to the bowling, Bumrah was outstanding, Akash Deep is a feisty cricketer, always wants to be involved in the game, very new to international cricket, he has worked hard at the nets, still new to international cricket, but he has put in the hard yards...
"There are people in the group to put their hand across and help him going forward. As he showed with the bat, these are the sort of characters we needed in the team," Rohit added.