India’s stand-in captain KL Rahul said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made opposition look ‘silly’ after the batting stalwarts played key roles in the team’s 17-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on Sunday (November 30).
Kohli slammed his 52nd ODI hundred, a commanding 135 off 120 deliveries, while Rohit scored 57 off 51 balls to propel the hosts to a formidable 349/8 in 50 overs.
In reply, the Proteas came close to the target but Indian bowlers held their nerves to bowl out the tourists for 332 in 49.2 overs.
“Obviously it's always fun to watch them play like that, play with that freedom and that's what they've done throughout their careers and put oppositions under pressure. Make them look silly at times and just show the world why they are who they are and the numbers that they've been able to get and the number of games that they've won for the country. For me, obviously, I've seen this for a long time and it's just a lot more fun to see them around in the dressing room and I've played all my cricket with them so it's a lot of fun to chat with them and to have them back. To see them play like that is just, obviously, for me, for everyone else in the stadium, it's just a joy,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Chasing the target, South Africa got off to a terrible start, losing their top three for just 11 runs inside five overs. However, Matthew Breetzke (72 off 80) and Marco Jansen (70 off 39) brought the visitors back in the game with vital knocks in the middle order.
Reeling at 228/7 in the 34th over, South Africa were staring at a big defeat but Corbin Bosch scared the Men in Blue with a dazzling innings of 67 in 51 balls.
However, the close contest made Rahul a bit nervous towards the end. “(if he had butterflies in his stomach at some point?) I'd be lying if I said none at all. I think throughout the 50 overs I was obviously playing ODI cricket after a while and getting to captain the country again, it's obviously, there's a bit of expectation from myself and obviously from everyone else that's given me the responsibility. So yeah, a little bit of butterflies but I think we kept picking wickets at the right time and we were very clear and very thorough with our plans and it was good to see that the bowlers stuck to that. There was a sense of calm as well throughout but obviously they pushed us and they kept coming hard so it was exciting,” he remarked.
Rahul, who scored 60 off 56 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes, also commented on his No. 6 batting position.
“I mean, got to do the job for the team and that's the role that's been given for the last 2 or 3 ODI series and I'm trying to do my best and find fun in doing different responsibilities and challenging myself, challenging my game. I think it's good for personal development as well so I keep thinking about the game and how I can get better,” he stated.
Harshit Rana (3-65) and Kuldeep Yadav (4-68) were pick of the Indian bowlers, sharing seven wickets between them. Arshdeep Singh (2-64) and Prasidh Krishna (1-48 in 7.2 overs) took the remaining three scalps.
“Obviously, I mean, Harshit's done really well. We all knew he had the potential and we knew the minute he came into that dressing room that he's special. That is what Team India has been looking for. Someone who is tall, someone who can bowl fast, someone who hits the deck, someone who can give a little bit of runs as well at the back end. So, he's still someone who's developing but we see great potential and it's amazing to see what he's been able to do. He bowled brilliantly in Australia as well and to take the new ball here and get us those crucial wickets is what we expect out of him and it was really pleasing to see that. Obviously, Kuldeep again has been around for a long time. He keeps doing this job for the team. He's key for us in the middle overs to pick up wickets. So, yeah, it's amazing to see how they went about bowling,” Rahul concluded.
