India vs New Zealand 2019: We Showed a Lot of Character – Rohit Sharma
Feb 3, 2019 at 5:15 PM
The Men in Blue interim skipper Rohit Sharma is elated following the five-match One-day International (ODI) India vs New Zealand 2019 Netmeds series win by 4-1, with the 35-run win in the fifth and final ODI at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Sunday (February 3). The opening batsman Rohit asserted the unit had given best with bat and the ball, in particular. He added a couple of notable performance has seen the team crossing over the line.
“We showed a lot of character. With the ball as well. The wicket got flat at the end, with the dew. At one point it looked like it would be an easy chase. But a lot of people put their hands up and got us through,” Rohit told Simon Doull.
Interestingly, it’s the first time that the Black Caps went on to lose four ODIs at home owing to a bilateral series. Back in 1999, the Kiwis lost the six-match series 4-1 against their Trans-Tasman rivals Australia.
In the recently-concluded series, the hosts claimed a solitary match at Hamilton after routing India at 92. However, India registered a strong comeback in the final fixture following early hiccups. The visitors posted 252 in 49.5 over as they at one stage reeled at 18 for four in 9.3 overs. But Ambati Rayudu bailed out his team alongside Vijay Shankar and Kedar Jadhav.
Rayudu, Shankar, Jadhav and Pandya did the repair work:
The 31-year-old Rohit, who earlier rued the Seddon Park loss added they wanted the players to spent some quality time. He has heaped praise on Hardik Pandya for his breezy innings.
“Especially after the Hamilton loss, that was a big loss for us the way we lost there. At the toss, I said we needed to come together as a team and we did that. Four down, we needed someone to apply, and Rayudu and Vijay Shankar did that. The way Hardik and Kedar played was magnificent,” Rohit added.
Ambati Rayudu scored 113-ball 90, as Shankar settled with 45 off 64 deliveries. Jadhav also chipped in with a fine 34 off 45 balls.
In addition to, Hardik Pandya’s pyrotechnics saw the visitors going past the 250-run mark. He slammed 22-ball 45.
Rohit happy with bowling show:
In response, hosts were bundled out for 217 in 44.1 overs. The leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the wrecker-in-chief as he claimed three wickets for 41 in 10 overs. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami alongside Pandya claimed two wickets apiece, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jadhav walked off with a wicket each.
Rohit has subsequently lauded the efforts of bowlers by reiterating it is a great success to be a part of.
“Bowlers got crucial breakthroughs at critical times. When you want to win games, you’ve got to find the right balance. Coming here and beating NZ at home wasn’t going to be easy. The achievement we’ve had today is a great achievement to have,” Rohit further said.
Rohit on the Westpac pitch condition:
Rohit, who failed to provide a solid start with the bat in Wellington remarked he would have opted to field if the series would’ve been in a blender. However, he mentioned the total they achieved was a good total following early jitters.
“I knew there was some moisture in the pitch. If the series was on the line, I would’ve batted second. Wasn’t easy after losing four wickets at the start. Thought 250 was a very good score on that pitch,” Rohit added.
Now, Rohit will lead Team India in the impending three-match Twenty2o International series. The first T20I will kick off on February 6 in Wellington.