Despite India’s 16-run win over South Africa in the second T20I at Guwahati, captain Rohit Sharma knows that his team hasn’t ticked all the right boxes. One of them is their death bowling, which is becoming a big concern. However, Rohit played down those concerns but feels it is imperative for them to get their act together.
India had 63 runs in the bank for the last two overs but Arshdeep Singh conceded 26 runs in the penultimate over he bowled. Axar Patel was then taken for 20 runs in the final over. Arshdeep was taken for a total of 62 runs, which is the second highest for any Indian bowler in the T20I format.
Indian bowlers conceded a total of 78 runs in the last five overs and it could have been a different story if Quinton de Kock had found his gear. David Miller scored a blistering knock of 106 runs but he couldn’t get the support from the other end.
Rohit Sharma revealed that they will continue to bat aggressively and all the batters are happy to take that approach.
Rohit said in the post-match presentation, “All of us came together and said it was what we wanted to do as a team. It might not come across at times, but we want to stick to it. What I have seen in the last 8-10 months is individuals putting their hand up and getting the job done for the team. Guys without too much experience did this as well. The team wants to play and bowl in a certain way and we want to give them that confidence.”
On India’s death bowling concern, Rohit said, “Yes, we have not bowled well at the death in the last five or six games. We are doing the same to the opposition as well. To bowl and bat at the death is very tough. That is where the game is decided. It is not concerning, but we need to pick ourselves and get our act together.”
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav continued his purple patch as he scored 61 runs off just 22 balls.
When Harsha Bhogle asked Rohit how he could preserve SKY’s form, the Indian captain said, “I am thinking of not playing Surya anymore and playing him directly on 23rd. This is how th game is and we just want to keep him happy.”
India has taken an impregnable lead of 2-0 in the series and the third T20I will be played on Tuesday.
