Rohit Sharma on Krunal Pandya’s debut: The Indian captain seemed impressed with Krunal Pandya’s international debut.
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During the first T20I of the ongoing Windies’ tour of India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India defeated Windies by 10 wickets to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
After India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to field, his decision was ably supported by the Indian bowlers as they were at the task throughout the innings. From making early inroads to not letting the opposition hit the big shots during the death overs, the Indian bowlers had put on display a fantastic performance.
In their allotted quota of 20 overs, Windies scored 109-8. Fabian Allen, who came in to bat at No. 8, top-scored with 27 (20) with the help of four fours.
With bowling performance of 4-0-13-3, Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers. The other four in Umesh Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Jasprit Bumrah and Krunal Pandya picked up a wicket each.
In which appeared to be a cakewalk of a chase for the Indian team wasn’t to be as India, too, lost wickets at regular intervals. After losing three in the powerplay, India lost another one in the form of Lokesh Rahul (16) in the eighth over.
It was a 38-run stand for the fifth wicket between Manish Pandey (19) and Dinesh Karthik which aided India to come close to finishing line. With Karthik (31) and Pandya (21) in the middle, India eventually sealed the chase in the 18th over.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, captain Sharma lauded the ‘exceptional’ performance of the team, chiefly the bowlers. “It was an exceptional performance with the ball. There was quite a bit for the seamers upfront. Even for the spinners, if they put in the revs, it was spinning. There was a little bit in every department,” he was quoted.
Sharma also threw accolades on Windies’ debutant Oshane Thomas, someone who bowled at express pace tonight. “We knew it won’t be easy given the seamers they have, but there’s some learning for us there, what we should do as a batting unit when conditions are in our favour.
“Oshane Thomas is a really exciting talent without doubt, good height plus that jump he takes, if he bowls in the right areas, it won’t be easy for any batsman in the world to counter that. He’s really talented, also has the advantage of height which gives him the extra edge. I wish him the best in the future,” Sharma said.
Sharma acknowledged the fact that Pandya took the responsibility with both the bat and the ball on him. “Very very exciting talent. Krunal, I’ve seen him closely playing for Mumbai Indians. He likes the situation where the team expects him to perform.
“He was the one who asked me ‘I want to bowl to Pollard, and got him out.’ When you see guys accept challenges and bail the team out, it’s exciting as captain or as a team management,” he concluded.
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