Rohit Sharma was an elated captain as India sealed a World Cup 2023 semi-final spot with a thumping 302-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday (November 2).
Invited to bat first, the hosts racked up a mammoth 357/8 on the board, courtesy of half-centuries from Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88) and Shreyas Iyer (82).
In reply, Sri Lanka’s innings folded for a mere 55 in 19.4 overs as Indian fast bowlers carried out a demolition job.
“Very happy knowing that we have officially qualified now. Been a good effort from the squad, when we started off in Chennai. This was our goal, to qualify first and then obviously the semis and the finals. The way we approached these 7 games, it was quite clinical,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
Rohit was pleased with the way Indian batters responded after being asked to bat first. He was particularly impressed with Shreyas Iyer’s performance after some low scores in the last few games.
“Everyone put in the effort and a lot of individuals have put their hand up. Was a good challenge to put runs on the board, and that's the kind of template you gotta have when you want to score that many runs. 350 on any pitch is a very good score and a lot of credit to the batting unit for taking us to that score and the bowlers did the job obviously. Shreyas is a very strong (in his mind) lad and today, as you saw, he went there and did what he is exactly known for and that is what we expect from him,” he added.
As a captain, Rohit Sharma is happy to see different players standing up under pressure.
“Siraj is another quality bowler for us and if he does that (making the new ball talk) things look different for us. He (Siraj) has got a lot of skills when he is operating with the new ball. Even Surya, for that matter, got us some crucial runs in the back end of the last game,” he said.
Mohammad Shami was the stand-out pacer for India, claiming five wickets by conceding only 18 runs in his five overs. On the other hand, Mohammed Siraj (3-16) and Jasprit Bumrah (1-8) wreaked havoc with the new ball to reduce Sri Lanka to 3/4 at one stage.
“To put in a performance back-to-back against England and now today, shows the quality of the seamers and if there is something in the conditions, they are quite lethal. All in all, it was pleasing to watch (bowlers dominating proceedings) and I hope they continue to do it that way,” the Indian captain said.
In this World Cup, KL Rahul has done a brilliant job for India when it comes to taking a call on review and Rohit said he has left this job to the bowler and wicketkeeper.
“I have left it to the bowler and the keeper (whether or not to take a review) to make that decision for me, and I gotta find the individuals I can trust and I know it can go the other way as well. We got one right and one wrong today,” he remarked.
India’s next match is scheduled against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 5 and Rohit Sharma said it will be a great contest.
“They (South Africa) are playing some good cricket, and so are we. It's gonna be a great spectacle for the people out there and People of Kolkata are gonna enjoy that game,” he concluded.
