The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma was in awe of his team’s bowling effort after India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. On Saturday, the Men in Blue took a 2-0 lead after winning the second match by eight wickets at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
Mohammed Shami was the pick of the India bowlers as bowled a spell of 6-1-18-3 and helped India to bundle out the Black Caps for a below-par total of 108 in 34.3 overs. Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar picked up two wickets apiece. Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav got one scalp apiece.
As per the quotes in India Today, during the post0match presentation ceremony, Rohit Sharma said, “I thought these last five games, the bowlers have really stepped up. Whatever we have asked of them, they have delivered. Especially doing this in India. You can expect these performances away from India, but they have real skills.”
WATCH – A Fan Breaches Security In Raipur To Huge Rohit Sharma At The Pitch
He further added, “When we trained here yesterday in the night, it moved around, there was good carry. Which is why we wanting that challenge: 250 would have been quite challenging.”
Rohit Sharma also said that he didn’t allow Shami and Siraj to bowl longer spells, as he didn’t want to increase the physical excursion of the pacers ahead of much-awaited India’s four-match Test series against Australia that starts next month.
.@ImRo45 goes big! 48th ODI 5⃣0⃣* 🙌🙌
No sight more elegant than when The Hitman is in complete rhythm 😍
Tune-in to the 2nd Mastercard #INDvNZ ODI, LIVE on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar. #BelieveInBlue pic.twitter.com/iNHG8Z1D90
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 21, 2023
Explaining the same, Rohit Sharma said, “Shami and Siraj did want to go on for longer spells, but I told them a big Test series coming up. I had to step in and say boss there are other bowlers as well.”
The Indian skipper was satisfied with how he batted in the second ODI. He himself played a brilliant knock of 51 off 50 balls with seven fours and two sixes before Henry Shipley accounted for his wicket.
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Rohit Sharma explained, “I am happy with my batting. I have kept my approach quite similar. I try to take the bowlers on. It is important to do that: to try to out the pressure back. I know a big score hasn’t come, but I am happy with how I am going. I know a big score is around the corner.”
