Rohit Sharma on India’s win against Hong Kong: Captain Rohit Sharma was eventually happy with his team clinching victory in Asia Cup opener.
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During the fourth match of the ongoing Asia Cup between Hong Kong and India at Dubai, India beat Hong Kong by 26 runs. In a match which was expected to go easily towards the Indian team, it ended up being a hard fought contest between both the teams.
After being put in to bat by Hong Kong’s captain Anshuman Rath, India ended up scoring 285-7 in their allotted quota of 50 overs. Shikhar Dhawan, who had opened the batting with captain Rohit Sharma, top-scored for India. In which was his 14th ODI century, Dhawan scored 127 (120) with the help of 15 fours and two sixes.
With bowling figures of 9-0-39-3, Kinchit Shah was the pick of the bowlers for Hong Kong.
In Niyakat Khan and Rath, Hong Kong’s opening batsmen were spectacular on the given day, registering the highest ever opening partnership (174) for Hong Kong. Niyakat ended up top-scoring as he posted 92 (115) with the help of 12 fours and a six. For India, Yuzvendra Chahal and debutant Khaleel Ahmed registered three wickets each.
During the post-match presentation, Sharma accepted that the mistakes made today will act as a learning curve for the team in the future. “Eventually to win the game is important. We always knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We had an inexperienced bowling line-up, but that’s no excuse. The mistake was that we could’ve attacked a bit more. It’s a mistake, and that’s a learning curve”, said Sharma.
For a significant part of the second innings, Hong Kong was at the driver’s seat. Sharma agreed that the opposition had started to dominate the game. “They pulled off the victory, and I have no doubt for the future as well. Didn’t doubt ourselves at any stage, but credit to Hong Kong. Great partnership by their openers, and for our bowling curve, it was great to handle those situations”, he was quoted.
On being asked about the positives from this 26-run victory, Sharma said, “The positives were Shikhar’s innings. He had a long tour of England, and was determined to bat in those conditions. It wasn’t easy. And Ambati Rayudu as well. Playing after a long time and got a fifty.”
Debutant Ahmed was outstanding on the given day. Bowling his full quota of 10 overs, he ended up registering bowling figures of 10-0-48-3. Sharma was vocal about the way Ahmed has impressed one and all. “Khaleel is a very exciting player. He showed he didn’t start well, but was good enough to come back well. If you can’t do well for 2-3 overs it’s okay, but you should find a way to come back, and he really found that way, and found his rewards”, Sharma added.
