 "Rohit hails Kohli after match-winning knock in Champions Trophy semi-final: 'He has done it for us for so many years'")
Captain Rohit Sharma credited the Indian team for their “very clinical” batting performance following their four-wicket victory over Australia in their Champions Trophy semi-final meeting in Dubai on Tuesday. Rohit also paid tribute to Virat Kohli after the latter starred in the Men in Blue’s victory with yet another match-winning knock in a run-chase .
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Kohli dished out a superb 84 off 98 balls as India recovered from a shaky start to chase down the 265-run target set by Steve Smith’s men at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium with four overs and 11 deliveries to spare.
‘Wicket looked better’: Rohit on surface used for Tuesday’s game
Rohit, however, added that despite the relative ease with which the two-time Champions Trophy winners got the line on Tuesday, “nothing was certain” till the final ball was bowled. He also commented on what was a much better wicket to bat on compared to the one used for Sunday’s Group A clash between India and New Zealand, in which batters from both teams had struggled.
“Till the last ball is bowled, nothing is certain. Halfway through the game, we felt it was a reasonable score, and we have to bat really really well. I thought we were very clinical with the bat. We were very calm and composed,” the ‘Hitman’ said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“The wicket looked better, and that has been the nature of the surfaces. The one which played today was slightly better. We just want to play good cricket and not read too much into what the pitch is doing.
“He has done it for us for so many years. We were very calm. We wanted that big stand which Shreyas and Virat had. Then the shots by Hardik in the end were very important,” he added.
‘Something I really wanted’: Rohit on India’s depth
Part of the reason why India have stormed into the final of the Champions Trophy despite the absence of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah is the depth in their squad, particularly when it comes to their spin options. The Men in Blue had as many as six bowling options at their disposal in Tuesday’s game, not taking part-timers into account, and also had quality batters all the way to No 8.
“That (six bowling options) is something I really wanted, to have six bowling options and then batting till No. 8 as well. This is something we discussed while making the squad. Credit to everyone involved. When you have six bowling options, you can choose from anyone you want,” Rohit added during the post-match interview.
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