India's captain Rohit Sharma fields the ball during the fifth and final day of the first Test cricket match between India and New Zealand on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Idrees Mohammed / AFP)
Bengaluru, India: India captain Rohit Sharma said he was proud of his team for battling back from their lowest home total of 46 to make a match of the first Test against New Zealand, despite going down to an eight-wicket defeat on Sunday.
New Zealand chased down a tricky target of 107 after losing two early wickets to register their first Test win in India since 1988.
India were bowled out for their third lowest Test total in 31.2 overs on day two when Rohit chose to bat in overcast conditions.
But in the second innings, Sarfaraz Khan scored 150 and Rishabh Pant 99 as India posted 462.
"Second innings with the bat, to come out and play like that, it felt like we were ahead in the game at one stage," said Rohit.
New Zealand made 402 in their first innings and took a huge 356-run lead.
"We didn't feel like we were 350 behind and that is something that I am really proud of," said Rohit.
"All in all, except for that first three hours, I thought we played very good Test cricket.
"Whatever the situation of the game is, unless you believe it, you are not going to achieve it.
"So, that is the mindset of this team. And I can say it again and again, that this team is not going to give in so easily."
Sarfaraz hit his first century in his fourth Test appearance. The left-handed Pant missed out on his century but took the attack to the opposition.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham expected a backlash from India after the first-innings debacle.
"From our perspective, we knew India were going to come back," said Latham. "They certainly kept challenging us, they kept asking good questions.
"To get a lead from the position that they were in was obviously a quality effort."
It was India's second home Test defeat this year. England won the opener of a five-match series in January but India won the next four.
"We have lost such matches before and we have made a comeback after that," said Rohit.
"So, we will try not to think too much about this Test match, rather how we have to play in the next two matches. What we have to do and how we have to defeat the team."
The second Test begins on Thursday in Pune. The third is on November 1 in Mumbai.
