The Indian cricket team kept their head in a thrilling encounter to win seventh consecutive bilateral series under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. The match was poised to be an exciting one as both the team were on level terms winning a piece each and the players didn’t disappoint the spectators as a result was made in the last over.
Made to bat first, India posted a staggering total of 337 runs courtesy two brilliant centuries from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and some useful contribution in the end by MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav. In reply, the Kiwis had a good a start as Colin Munro hammered the ball all-around the park giving the bowlers a tough time.
Left-handed Tom Latham played an innings of his life taking his team closer to the total but couldn’t take his team over the rope as he got run out, unfortunately. With 15 runs required in the last over, Bumrah kept his nerve to give his team a valuable win as team India clinched the series 2-1 in a hard-fought battle.
The centurions, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, got engaged in a fun chat for bcci.tv after the match where they were heard talking about various things ranging from how they enjoy each other’s company to talking about the bowlers performing consistently. Kohli initiated the chat saying that it’s a great series win for them. Acknowledging the good rapport they enjoy on and off the field as this was their 4rth double-hundred runs partnership, Kohli asked Rohit how it feels to perform in such important games.
Rohit, who didn’t have good show in the series made his mark in the series decider said that:
“For me it’s been very simple, you know whenever I get the opportunity I just want to express myself and since I have started opening the batting, it was all about giving the team a good start .Yes, of course, how much I score at the end matters, but for me bringing the team to a good position and leaving a good platform to our middle-order to come and express later on is something I always try and do.”
Virat, who became the fastest ODI batsman to reach 9000 runs further explained why it is always a great experience to bat with Rohit as they both want to bat long and are good at understanding situations. Virat took this opportunity to credit the bowlers for pulling things back in otherwise a run fest.
“I felt proud because a lot of times we have given it away before, but today in a crunch game which will help us in big tournaments in future, we really did the job,” team India skipper said. Rohit was also on the same line giving due credit to the bowlers as it was not an easy job considering the dew factor.
He further added that the bowlers have been performing on a consistent basis and had made strong comebacks when put under pressure especially the young spinners who were courageous to execute their plan.
However, Virat summed up saying that it was a great day for the team as a whole and at the personal level as well. India will now take on the New Zealand side in a three-match T20 series starting from November 1.