ICC World Cup 2019: The Plan Was to Play Out Initial Overs - Rohit Sharma

India got off to a fine start in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019 as they defeated South Africa by six wickets at Rose Bowl at Southampton on 5th June. The Men in Blue ticked the right boxes in all the three aspects of the game whereas South Africa had themselves to blame as they could not come up with a good show. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma was the hero of the show for the Indian team as the vice-captain scored a sublime knock of undefeated 122 runs.

Rohit Sharma scored 13 fours and two sixes in his match-winning knock. Meanwhile, the right-hander took his time in the initial stages of the match. In fact, Sharma was challenged by the short stuff from Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris. However, the right-hander was able to stand tall and as there was no pressure of the required run-rate, Rohit took his time to get going.

Rohit Sharma came up with a matured knock.

In fact, Rohit Sharma played a sedate knock in the initial stages. He respected the good balls and played a mature inning to help his side to a six-wicket win in their World Cup opener.

Rohit Sharma said in the post-match press presentation, “Different experience from India. There was something in it for the bowlers through the game, so you had to play out the overs initially and see what the ball was doing. Couldn’t play my natural game. You have to take your time. Certain shots that I like playing, I had to cut out and play close to the body, and follow the basics properly – try and leave as many balls as possible on a pitch that is doing a bit. Building partnerships were key in this chase. It was a small total, but since there was something in it for the bowlers, it was tough and we needed partnerships”.

“It’s the batsmen’s job to get the job done, whoever is out in the middle. We can’t rely on one of two individuals all the time. That’s been the hallmark of this team over the last two years – someone always puts their hand up and takes the responsibility to take the team across the line. I hope at some stage someone will put their hand up and take that challenge. That’s the beauty of playing in England – we are playing a little early. We play in July/August, but this is June. The weather has been good, and overcast, so you don’t sweat too much like in India. It wasn’t a typical Rohit Sharma innings, but I had to play out the overs initially to make sure that the job is done”.

India’s bowling was on the mark.

Earlier, India had restricted South Africa to a paltry score of 227 after Faf du Plessis won the toss and decided to bat first. Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the Indian bowlers as the leg-spinner scalped four wickets and helped India put their noses in front. Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped two wickets each whereas Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket.

India will play their second match against reigning champions Australia India on 9th June at Kennington Oval, London.