Rohit Sharma was an elated skipper as Team India thrashed West Indies by 96 runs in the final ODI at Ahmedabad on Friday (February 11) to clinch the series 3-0.
Opting to bat first, the hosts posted 265/10 in their stipulated 50 overs on the back of half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer (80) and Rishabh Pant (56). Deepak Chahar (38) and Washington Sundar (33) also made handy contributions in the lower order.
Defending the total, Indian bowlers once again ran through the West Indies batting line-up, bundling them out for a paltry 169 in 37.1 overs. In reply, West Indies’ innings folded for a paltry 169 in 37.1 overs. It was a listless performance from the visitors as no one managed to touch the 40-run mark.
Prasidh Krishna (3-27) and Mohammed Siraj (3-29) starred with the ball for India, sharing six wickets between them while bowling economically. Deepak Chahar (2-41) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-51) also returned with two scalps each.
Speaking after the game, Rohit expressed his delight on ticking a lot of boxes in the series.
“Definitely not looking at those numbers (captaincy record). Have ticked a lot of boxes in this series. Whatever we wanted to get out of this series, we pretty much got. Noise will be around as long as we're playing. People look up to us, everybody watches us. As players, as individuals, we know what we need to focus on. Outside noise doesn't bother the dressing room,” he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Rohit also showered rich praise on the bowlers for defending modest totals in the last two ODIs.
“Said it in the last game as well - never seen something like that in India (Prasidh's spell). Good to have someone who can hit the deck and get that bounce. Although I didn't feel like this was Indian conditions, was good to see the fast bowlers actually. Was also impressed with Siraj. And then Shardul and Deepak did the job for us,” he stated.
“Both Kuldeep and Chahal are crucial players for us. Especially Kuldeep. Chahal was very much in the plans and Kuldeep went off the radar. It was important to get him back slowly. Important to give them that confidence. We start expecting things early than expected, important to give them some cushion. Pretty sure we'll see them together soon,” the captain further remarked.
Rohit was also pleased with the performances of middle-order batters in this series.
“That was the biggest takeaway for us - the middle order batting. Today was again a great game for the middle order. We were 40/3. For me that's the biggest takeaway.”
India and West Indies will now lock horns in a three-match T20I series, starting February 16 in Kolkata.
(With Cricbuzz inputs)
