How we bowled in the middle overs was crucial: Rohit Sharma after 7-wicket win in 3rd T20I

Tags: India tour of West Indies 2022, West Indies vs India, 2nd T20I at St Kitts, Aug 01, 2022, India, West Indies, Rohit Gurunath Sharma, Suryakumar Ashok Yadav

Published on: Aug 03, 2022

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Team India captain Rohit Sharma stated that their bowling performance in the middle overs was a crucial aspect in their victory in their third T20I against West Indies in St Kitts on Tuesday (August 2). Sent into bat after losing the toss, the hosts reached 61 for 1 after eight overs. However, Hardik Pandya (1 for 19) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0 for 26) bowled tight spells as India restricted the hosts to 164 for 5

Suryakumar Yadav then hammered 76 off 44 balls, slamming eight fours and four sixes, as the Men in Blue eased to victory by seven wickets in 19 overs. Following Suryakumar’s departure, Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 33 off 26 to guide the visitors past the victory line.

Speaking at the post-match ceremony, Rohit asserted that they read the conditions well. He said, “How we bowled in the middle overs was crucial. I thought we used the conditions well. Used the variations well.”

He described India’s chase as clinical and also praised Suryakumar for his fantastic knock. The 35-year-old added, “Was very clinical how we chased. When you watched from the outside, didn't feel a lot of risk was taken, was a lot of calmness in the middle. Surya batted brilliantly, good partnership there with (Shreyas( Iyer. The pitch had something in it for the bowlers, not an easy target. Was important to pick the right shots, right balls on a ground like that.”

Rohit himself had to retire hurt on 11 with a back spasm. Asked about his fitness for the next game, he said, “It's okay at the moment. We've got a few days till the next game, hopefully it should be okay (his injury).”

Suryakumar’s knock on Tuesday was crucial for his confidence. Since his hundred in England, he had failed to reach 30 in his last seven innings. He was named player of the match for his fine innings. Reflecting on his knock, SKY said, “Really happy with the way things went. Was important for someone to bat 15-17 overs after Rohit went back inside. We saw yesterday what happened in the second innings. Was important for someone to bat deep and win the game, that's what I've focussed on. Just backed myself and enjoying it.”

The fourth T20I of the India-West Indies series will be played in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday, August 6.

–By A Cricket Correspondent

Related News