WATCH: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli reflect on heart break of series loss to New Zealand

Indian cricket fans were left shocked after the loss to New Zealand by 113 runs in Pune on Saturday. This was the first home loss suffered by India since 2012 when they were beaten by England. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen in downcast mood at the end of the game when the two teams met for customary handshake. 

Virat Kohli could be seen standing on the steps and this is when Rohit Sharma was seen climbing the stairs. The former Indian skipper and current skipper shared a hug with their sullen faces showing pain after the loss. Virat Kohli could also be seen shaking hands with coach Gautam Gambhir. 

The hug moment between Captain Rohit and Virat Kohli after the heartbreaking series loss🥺💔🫂🧿

"INDIA LOVE YOU ROHIT SHARMA" pic.twitter.com/O5kqhpk3Dy

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 26, 2024

Both batters had a game to forget as they failed to deliver with the bat in a key game. Rohit Sharma had scores of 0 and 8 while Virat Kohli scored 1 and 17 in the game. in fact barring their second innings heroics in Bengaluru both the veteran batters have seen runs dry up. 

Anil Kumble hits out at Indian cricket team post Pune Test loss

Former Indian skipper Anil Kumble wasn’t happy with the way the home team played the first two games in the series. The batters in particular failed to put up a good showing in the first innings as they were bowled out for 156. This enabled New Zealand to take a huge lead of 156 after being bowled out for 259 in their 1st innings. 

Anil Kumble said “I think that’s the beauty about WTC. I know the series is done for India, but then every Test match is equally important. They have obviously made it harder for themselves. At the start of the series, we spoke about getting five wins for you to really sail into the championship final”

The former skipper also said “But now if you need those four wins in the next six matches, that becomes even tougher because the one is at the Wankede Stadium against this extremely confident New Zealand side and then five against Australia in Australia,” 

“I know India has done really well in the last two series that they played in Australia but again it’s all the more tougher for India to qualify, but they have to really get their act together. The batting has been disappointing. The bowling will have its challenges right throughout. The reason that India is on the top there is because Indian bowlers have been able to pick up those 20 wickets. The batting needs to come together and start getting those runs” quipped Anil Kumble.