Can struggling Sharma step up as captain?

IT was day three of the Pune Test against New Zealand. Having lost the home Test series 3-0, a dejected Rohit Sharma addressed the media.

- GOMESH S

For the first time in 12 years, India had lost a series at home. They had won 18 consecutive Test series in India, losing only four Tests at home prior to the Pune game. A win percentage of 77.77 in 54 Tests with 42 wins.

The magnitude of the loss was such that Sharma was facing some tough questions. While acknowledging what went wrong and taking responsibility, Sharma said he and the team wanted to focus on good things that they had done well for so long. He went on to say, "We are allowed one such performance in 12 years. If we were collapsing like this on a regular basis then we would not have been winning at home. We have a lot of expectations. We are expected to win every game at our home, and it is because of our performances."