Rohit Sharma, India’s white-ball captain highlighted the importance of Virat Kohli’s half-century in the 2nd T20I against West Indies at Eden Gardens on Friday.
The home side were reeling at 10/1 when Virat Kohli came out to bat. He looked positive right from the onset and played some glorious-looking shots to put the innings on course. Virat Kohli soaked in the pressure and carried the innings on his shoulder to set the platform for the batters to follow.
Rohit Sharma: Virat Kohli Took The Pressure Off Me
Rohit Sharma, who has backed his favourite ward to the core, lauded Virat Kohli’s magnificent 53 runs off 41 balls, which included seven boundaries and a six. Virat Kohli scored his 30th T20I fifty which helped India to set the score of 186/5 in 20 overs. In reply, West Indies fell short by 8 runs despite Rovman Powell’s heroics.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma said: “Very important, that innings of his. He took the pressure off me as well. We didn’t start well in the first two overs. Great finish in the end by Rishabh and Venky Iyer.”
India were at 106/4 in 13.4 overs when Venkatesh Iyer was united with Rishabh Pant. The duo flourished in the end, guiding India to 186 runs in 20 overs. They added 76 runs in 35 balls to finish the proceedings on a high.
Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 52 off 28 balls while Venkatesh Iyer contributed with 33 runs from 18 deliveries. Rohit Sharma also spoke about how Venkatesh Iyer, who is still early into his international career, has matured as a cricketer.
The Indian captain added: “Very happy to see how he has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants. In the end, he wanted to bowl one over as well. We need such characters in our team.”
The all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh will look to continue his good run in the final game of the series with an eye on a spot in the squad for the 2022 T20I World Cup. West Indies produced an outstanding performance with the bat. Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell almost took the visitors home with a 100-run stand for the third wicket.
Rohit Sharma: Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Experience Came Into Play In The 19th Over
Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced an outstanding effort in the 19th over, giving away only four runs and picking up the crucial wicket of Nicholas Pooran. The fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh returned with figures of 1/29 in his four overs. Rohit Sharma showered praise on the veteran pacer, who showed character in the death overs to bring India back into the game.
The 34-year-old said: “Absolutely, very critical, given the situation of the game. That’s where experience comes into play. Bhuvi has been doing that for many years. He is capable of nailing the yorkers and bowling the odd bouncer. We believe in his talent a lot.”
The third and final T20I of the series is scheduled to take place on Sunday in Kolkata. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been given a short break following India’s T20I series win over West Indies in Kolkata with one game remaining.
Both are likely to also rest for the upcoming three T20Is against Sri Lanka starting February 24 in Lucknow, the squad for which is expected to be named over the weekend.
After this series, India will play a series of 3 T20Is and 2 Tests against Sri Lanka which is their only remaining assignment before the IPL 2022.