India captain Rohit Sharma was elated with his young team’s efforts and the way they finished off the game against New Zealand in the first T20I of the ongoing three-match T20I series in Jaipur on Wednesday (November 17).
After winning the toss, Rohit invited the Black Caps to bat first, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave Team India a great start by dismissing in-form Daryl Mitchell for a duck in the first over in Jaipur.
However, Martin Guptill (70) and Mark Chapman (63) managed to take New Zealand to 164/6.
For India, R Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two wickets each, while Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Siraj each managed a wicket against New Zealand in the first T20I.
Chasing 165 for victory, Suryakumar Yadav (62) and Rohit (48) helped India cross the finishing line in the final over, as they defeated New Zealand by five wickets in the first T20I at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series on Wednesday.
After the match, Rohit Sharma said that the win in the first T20I wasn’t easy as the side expected after getting off to a good start against New Zealand and feels it was a great learning for the youngsters.
Rohit told the host broadcaster Star Sports at the post-match presser: “Towards the end, we saw it wasn't easy, was great learning for the guys because those guys haven't batted in that situation before for India. It was great learning for them to understand what needs to be done, it's not about power-hitting all the time and you try and put the ball to the left or right of the fielder and try and take singles or find boundaries.”
The skipper added, “As a team, we are happy that those guys got to bat in that situation and finished the game off. Technically was a good game, missing a few players and to come and see what the new players have in terms of ability and I think the way we pulled it back in the last 3-4 overs was magnificent. In the end, it was a great effort from all our bowlers.”
Praising his bowlers, the opener mentioned: “Ashwin and Akshar bowl in tandem for the Delhi Capitals and they are always looking to take wickets which is a good sign and it's important to try and put the brakes and those guys do that.”
He signed off by hailing Suryakumar, “Surya batted brilliantly and that's how he plays, he played some percentage shots as well and plays spin really well and uses the pace well for the fast bowlers.”
(With ANI Inputs)
