ASIA CUP 2018: Kedar Jadhav’s bowling augurs well for the team, says Rohit Sharma

Jadhav ripped through the Pakistani middle-order by claiming three wickets.

Kedar Jadhav picked up three important wickets for India | Getty

Rohit Sharma was an ecstatic captain as India annihilated Pakistan by 8 wickets in the group-stage clash of the ongoing Asia Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (September 19).

Bowling first, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave India the upper hand early in the game by dismissing both Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman (0) and Imam-ul-Haq (2) cheaply. Shoaib Malik along with Babar Azam steadied the ship by adding 82 runs for the second wicket.

However, the part-time off-spinner Kedar Jadhav pulled things back in India’s favour by ripping through the Pakistani middle-order. Jadhav got rid of Sarfraz (6), Asif Ali (9) and Shadab Khan (8) in quick succession to put Pakistan on the backfoot. Afterwards, Bumrah (2/23) and Bhuvneshwar (3/15) demolished the lower order to bundle out Pakistan for 162 in 43.1 overs.

"Right from the start we were quite disciplined. We wanted to learn from yesterday's mistakes. Was a great game for the bowling unit, especially since we knew it won't be difficult in these conditions. We stuck to the plan and did what we had planned to do on this surface. Spinners kept it tight, got the odd breakthrough, but the wickets in the first couple of overs was very important," Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

The stand-in India captain was in full of praise for his bowlers especially Jadhav.

"It was important to get early wickets because they've got some quality in the batting. So we didn't want to make things easy for them. We kept things on the stumps and we spoke about not giving Pakistan room. Kedar has been working on his bowling, and he takes his bowling seriously. It augurs well for the team, and the wickets are a bonus for us. His overs in middle are very crucial, especially after Hardik's injury," he added.

Chasing the paltry target, India got off to a flier with Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan adding 86 runs for the opening wicket in just 13 overs. In particular, Sharma was in full flow as he tore apart the Pakistani pace attack to notch up his 35th ODI half-century.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan removed Sharma for 52 (6 fours and 3 sixes) but by then India had tightened up the screws. Ambati Rayudu came out to bat at the crucial No. 3 position and forged a 28-run stand with Dhawan before the latter fell just four runs short of his half-century. Subsequently, the pair of Rayudu (31*) and Dinesh Karthik (31*) stitched an unbeaten 60-run partnership to bring India home with 8 wickets in hand and 126 balls to spare. 

"Quite enjoyed my little innings, got out to a great delivery but it was important to come and adjust to the surfaces here. Now we know exactly what to do. Need to create partnerships to achieve the targets we want to get. And fantastic finish by Dinesh and Rayudu as well," Rohit concluded.

Team India will now take on Bangladesh in their first Super 4 clash in Dubai on Friday (September 21).

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 20 Sep, 2018

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