It Was One Of Those Series Where Top Order Didn’t Come To The Party: Rohit
Mumbai: India captain Rohit Sharma, on being asked whether he’s worried about top-order batters, said the top-order, including himself, got out to poor shots in the third England ODI.
“Very pleased. Came here, and wanted to achieve something as a group in white ball. We were here last time and were beaten, I remember that. Not an easy place to come and win games. It was a good pitch, but we do understand it is not going to be easy if we lose wickets upfront. The positive side of it, is these guys have not batted much in the middle overs. Today we got to see that with Hardik and Rishabh. At no point, did we feel they were panicking. They backed themselves and played cricketing shots,” said the skipper in a post-match presentation. Also Read: Rishabh Pant’s Fearless Mentality Sets Him Apart: Jos Buttler
“He is a critical member of us (Chahal). Has got so much experience bowling in all formats. Pretty pleased with how he has come back after the WC. Hardik as well. One side boundary was long, he kept bowling the bouncers and got rewards for it. To be honest, the wicket didn’t have much. We played some not-so-good shots. Still back those guys to come out good. One of those series where top order has not come to the party. Have got nothing more to say because I know the quality they bring to the team.”
“We have got some solid guys sitting on the bench who have been waiting to get a game. Want to create that bench strength. Injuries are bound to happen, have to manage workload, so need to build bench strength. Have got some solid guys who will get their opportunity in West Indies,” he concluded.
Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 125* and his 133-run partnership with Hardik Pandya helped India chase down 260 in the final ODI of three-match series at Manchester.
England was bundled out for 259 thanks to some brilliant spells from the likes of Hardik Pandya (4/24) and Yuzvendra Chahal (3/60). Jos Buttler (60), Jason Roy (41) and Moeen Ali (34) played some crucial knocks for the hosts.
Chasing 260, Reece Topley destroyed India’s top order and had them at 72/4, but then Pandya-Pant stitched a match-winning stand of 133 runs.
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