India skipper Rohit Sharma on Thursday lauded the team for their comfortable 47-run victory over Afghanistan in the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 20.
India had opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted 181/8 in 20 overs with Suryakumar Yadav making 53 and Hardik Pandya scoring 32 runs, with the duo adding 60 runs together. For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan picked three wickets each.
In reply, Jasprit Bumrah’s 3/7 and Arshdeep Singh’s three wickets, combined with Kuldeep Yadav’s two scalps kept Afghanistan to 134 runs and India earned their first points in the Super 8s stage.
"The last two years we've played T20s here, so we understand the conditions and planned accordingly. We adapted well and got 180, which was a great effort from the batters. We had class bowlers who defended it perfectly," Rohit said during the post-match presentation.
"Everyone came in and did their job, that's critical and we dwell on it. SKY and Hardik's partnership was critical at that point, we needed someone to bat deep which they did. We know Bumrah's class and what he can do. Important for us to use him smartly regardless of conditions. He's willing to take the responsibility and he's been doing it for years," Rohit said.
Asked if India will go with a three-spinners combination from here on, Rohit insisted that they want to remain flexible as far as the combination is concerned.
"Have to assess conditions, opposition and based on that we're open to making changes if required. Felt three spinners were good here if it's seamer-friendly next time, we'll go with seamers,” Rohit added.
On the other hand, losing captain Rashid Khan said his team should start successfully chasing such scores against top teams.
"That was a surface we thought we could chase 170-180. You just go there and how you play. Against bigger teams, we should be thinking we will have to chase such scores. My body is feeling well. I struggled a little in the IPL. I am hitting the areas consistently now. We have enjoyed everywhere we have played. We forget our own skills sometimes. If the conditions are there, we will look to use it," he said.
Suryakumar Yadav was adjudged the Player of the Match, for his 28-ball 53, this was his 15th such award in T20Is and he equaled Virat Kohli’s all-time record.
"I think there's a lot of hard work, there are a lot of processes and routines involved in it. I am clear in my mind what I want to do. I think you just need to know your game plan, and just play accordingly. I still remember when Hardik came into the bat, I told him to let's bat with the same intent. Let's keep pressing the pedal and keep pushing, in the end very happy with a score of 180,” Suryakumar said.
India will next clash with Australia in Antigua on June 22, Saturday.
(PTI inputs)
