Wasn't at my best as batter and captain: Rohit after series loss

FROM ending the ICC trophy drought in June to becoming the first captain from India to lose three consecutive Tests at home, Rohit Sharma has had a rollercoaster of a season so far.

- GOMESH S

After the defeat against New Zealand in Mumbai, which completed the 3-0 clean sweep (first-ever in the history of Indian cricket), Sharma took responsibility for the loss and admitted he hadn't been at his best, which cost the team dearly. While he is not sure of playing the first Test against Australia in Perth, Sharma wants the team to focus on what lies ahead and is hopeful that the team can replicate a similar kind of performance from their last trip Down Under. Excerpts:

On shot selection of batters
It wasn't up to the mark, starting from me. But the only thing I would say is that when you are chasing a target like that, you want to try and put the pressure on the bowlers. You can't allow bowlers to bowl on one particular slot. You have to try and do something about it. I played a bad shot, yes, but I don't regret it because that (the pull) has given me a lot of success in the past so I will continue to do that. Every now and then, I will reflect on what I need to do as a batter. But I accept it. We were just not good enough with the bat. We didn't apply ourselves. There were a lot of mistakes that were made.