NEW DELHI: Captain Rohit Sharma stated that it is crucial that his team get in the correct frame of mind for what will be a difficult tour of Australia after New Zealand mercilessly exposed India’s batting weaknesses in a 0-3 home series loss.
After the hosts stumbled while chasing 147 in Mumbai on Sunday, the Black Caps became the first side to clean sweep India at home in a series that included three or more Tests.
The surrender left Indian great Sachin Tendulkar wondering if they were lacking in preparation and match practice or if it was simply bad shot selection that let them down after being dismissed for 46 and 156 in Bengaluru and Pune.
With the opening Test in Perth approaching on November 22, India’s hitters must now get ready to move from the turning tracks on home soil to the bounce and speed of Australian surfaces.
“We do talk a lot about the game but sitting with every individual and telling them what needs to be done or how they need to get their mindset right is going to be challenging,” Rohit told reporters.
“They come with a certain mindset, certain thinking about their own games. It has given them success in the past. But we all understand Australia is going to be a different ball game.”
The 37-year-old went on to say that it would be important to set the right atmosphere for players who haven’t yet felt the pressure of an Australian Test match.
“For the young players who haven’t been there before, it’ll be important to create an environment where they are comfortable and aren’t intimidated by where they’re playing and who they’re playing against,” he said.
“It’s important that from our side, we keep telling them that it’s another place to play cricket.”
After abandoning a practice match, India will spend three days simulating matches in order to get ready for the series.
“We’ll be training at WACA, which is close to Optus (Perth Stadium) where you have that bounce and carry,” added Rohit, who said he is still unsure about playing the first match due to personal reasons.
“Hopefully, we can use the three days perfectly and maximise how much ever we can from our point of view.”
India, who have defeated Australia away in 2018-19 and 2020-21, will play five Tests in Australia this season and must win four of them to get to the World Test Championship final for the third time in a row the following year.