Didn't Try to Over Hit Anything During My Innings: Rohit Sharma

Team India registered a comprehensive victory by 88 runs against the Lankans in the 2^nd T20I at the Holkar Stadium in Indore courtesy once in a lifetime innings by Hitman of India’s cricket Rohit Sharma to go 2-0 up in the three-match series. He looked set for the first ever double century in ODI’s before he was dismissed in the 12^th over after making 118 of a mere 42 deliveries.

After batting first, India posted a gigantic score of 260 runs on the board at the end of their allotted 20 overs. They looked set to register the biggest T20I total but eventually fell three runs short of 263 which is the highest T20I total set by Australia against the same opponents at Pallekele last year. The Lankan bowlers began well in the initial period, and it was KL Rahul who started off proceedings with a couple of delightful shots.

Rohit Sharma directly went to the 5^th gear from first and started belting the Lankan bowlers all around the park. Sixes kept flowing out of the ground as the Indian skipper made the Lankan attack look like a club level bowling attack. It was carnage on display at the Holkar Stadium as the Lankan bowlers were found wanting in front of yet another onslaught by Rohit Sharma.

He struck Thisara Perera for four consecutive and effortless sixes. Just when the commentators started predicting a double century for Rohit, he was dismissed by a slower delivery by Perera. On the other hand, KL Rahul also played a gem of a knock and started consolidating following Rohit’s wicket. He struck five fours and eight sixes en route to his knock of 89 off 49 deliveries.

Dhoni also played a handy knock of 29 runs which included a couple of fours and sixes each. India eventually made a gigantic score of 260 in 20 overs, and it needed a miraculous chase from the visitors to make a match out of it. The Lankans got off to a sensational start as Upul Tharanga, and Niroshan Dickwella struck some delightful shots to get going.

After a 36 runs partnership, Dickwella was dismissed by a well disguised slower delivery by Jaydev Unadkat. From there on Kusal Perera took the onus on him to counter-attack the Indian bowlers. The southpaw struck some exceptional shots and took Sri Lanka over the century mark alongside Upul Tharanga.

With the fall of Upul Tharanga’s, wickets started falling in a heap as the scoreboard pressure started getting better off the Lankan batsmen. They lost their last8 wickets for a meagre 17 runs which eventually handed India a huge victory by 88 runs. For the 3^rd time in his career, Yuzvendra Chahal bagged a four-wicket haul while another spinner Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with 3.

Captain Rohit Sharma was adjudged the Man of the Match, and this is what he said during the post-match presentation ceremony:

The stage was set. Good conditions to bat. Was trying to do what I always try to do – hit through the line. It’s something I’ve been working on through the last few months. Went out there and had some fun. That’s too much to ask (going for double hundred). No target here is defendable so we wanted to get as many as possible. KL started very well. He’s in great form. There’s a certain template to my batting. Don’t try to overhit too much. Rely on my timing and hold my shape. Had a lot of faith in the wrist-spinners. They’ve always brought us back into the matches. These two guys never put their head down. Rather than being too defensive, they’re prepared to flight the ball to take wickets. And they got the result. Kuldeep changed the game completely. I was very happy. Always had the belief that they’re the ones who’ll get us back in the game. It’s always pleasing for a captain when a bowler comes and tells you what he wants to do (talking about Pandya). It’s something he’s been working on. It’s paying dividends on the field. Only thing I said was back yourself. They stuck to their plans and got the result.