India skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday (February 26) praised Sanju Samson for his crucial knock in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala.
Chasing 184 to win, the hosts were struggling at 44/2 but the duo of Shreyas Iyer and Samson turned the match on its head with an 84-run stand for the third wicket.
While Iyer was severe on the Lankan bowlers, Samson too played the role of second fiddle perfectly, scoring 39 off 25 balls before getting out.
"We have a lot of talent in that batting unit, we will keep giving them the chances, it's up to them to make the most of it. I thought Sanju showed how well he could play with that knock, it's all about taking your opportunities," said Rohit at the post-match presentation after India’s series-clinching 7-wicket victory in the second T20I.
"Lot of these guys are quite talented. They just need an opportunity to go out there and express themselves. There are a lot of guys waiting in the wings as well but their time will come as well," he further said.
"We've got to look after the guys who have been in and around the team for a while. We understand all these guys possess a lot of talent. So it's just about giving the opportunity and the backing from our side. Was an important knock from Shreyas, couldn't have asked anything more from him, Jaddu came up well with the bat," he added.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a massive 183/5 in their allotted 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Pathum Nissanka starred with the bat, scoring 75 off 53 balls while Dasun Shanaka (47* off 19 balls) and Danushka Gunathilaka (38 off 29 balls) made significant contributions.
Rohit Sharma said India bowled well in the batting powerplay but they need to work on the bowling when it comes to death overs.
"Yeah, it was something that was important, for the middle-order to come and string together a partnership was good to see. It's happened quite a few times over the past few games," the captain remarked.
"Don't want to be too harsh on the bowlers, these things happen. We bowled well in the first few overs (in the batting powerplay), restricted them well, 80 runs in the last five overs, it's something we need to understand on things to be done in the last five overs, but we did well in the first 15 overs. The pitch was superb, the ball was coming on nicely and these things do happen," he added.
The third T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Dharamsala on Sunday (February 27).
(With ANI inputs)
