Indian captain Rohit Sharma gave credit to Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube after their seven-wicket win against the USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Wednesday. India was under the cosh at 39-3 in the run-chase of 111 but Yadav and Dube were able to get their team over the line. 

Yadav and Dube were able to get the boundaries at the right time when the pressure was slightly increasing on them. India needed 35 runs off 30 balls but they were gifted five penalty runs by the USA as the hosts didn’t start an over within 60 seconds for the third time.

Yadav scored an unbeaten 50 whereas Dube also scored a crucial knock of 31 runs as the duo added 72 runs for the fourth wicket.

Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation, “Knew it would be tough. Credit to us for the way we held our nerve and got that partnership. Credit to Surya and Dube for showing the maturity and taking us through.”

Rohit lauded SKY for playing a match-winning knock under pressure and making the most of his experience.

He added, “He showed he has a different game to him, that’s what you expect from experienced players. Credit to the way he stuck through today to take the game deep and win it for us.”

The Indian skipper also showered praise on the bowlers for keeping the USA to 110. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with figures of 4-9 and bowled a double-wicket over in the first over of the innings.

Rohit added, “We knew bowlers had to take the lead, run scoring was difficult. All the bowlers did the job, particularly Arshdeep.”

With this win, India also qualified for the Super 8 stage and Rohit is relieved to make it to the next stage of the tournament.

Rohit concluded, “It is a big relief, playing cricket here wasn’t easy. We had to stick through till the end in all 3 games. Will take a lot of confidence from these wins.”

India will next take on Canada at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.