Virat Kohli hails ‘special’ Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain was wax lyrical about his deputy’s match-winning innings vs South Africa.
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During the eighth match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between South Africa and India at Southampton, India defeated South Africa by 6 wickets to register their maiden victory in the showpiece event.
Chasing a 228-run target, India thrived on vice-captain Rohit Sharma’s 23rd ODI century as the opening batsman became the fulcrum of Indian batting. Sharma’s unbeaten knock saw India sealing the chase in the 48th over. He ended up scoring 122* (144) with the help of 13 fours and two sixes.
Not the first time that we have seen Rohit take up the mantle to win the game game on his own when Virat gets out early. India so fortunate to have such batsmen.👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏#INDvSA #ICCCWC2019
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 5, 2019
Virat Kohli hails ‘special’ Rohit Sharma
Speaking during the post-match press conference, India captain Virat Kohli lauded his deputy for him taking the onus on himself especially after Shikhar Dhawan (8) and himself (18) getting out cheaply. “Hats off to Rohit [Sharma], very professional win.
“We’re confident as a group, with the bat we had to be careful. That’s why I said Rohit’s innings was special. One of the top three getting a 100 is something we bank on,” Kohli was quoted as saying.
Other than Sharma, Kohli also admired other batsmen’s innings during the chase. “KL [Rahul] was superb, showed composure. MS [Dhoni] too and then Hardik [Pandya], the way he finished, he seems to be in a good head space as well,” Kohli said.
Shaabash Rohit ! Bumrah, Chahal creating pressure throughout . Fantastic win to start the World Cup for Team India. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/lGVHj8mfuO
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 5, 2019
Virat Kohli eulogizes about Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal
Shifting from his batsmen to bowlers, Kohli eulogized about the likes of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (10-1-35-2) and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (10-0-51-4). “Jasprit [Bumrah] is operating at a different level, batsmen are always feeling pressure. [Yuzvendra] Chahal too was outstanding.
“There’s one thing when you see a bowler bowl and when you catch the ball [on Quinton de Kock’s dismissal], you understand the heaviness. The next 15 minutes my hands were buzzing. Was absolutely outstanding to get [Hashim] Amla out like that in ODIs. To get Quinny [Quinton de Kock] as well was outstanding,” Kohli added.
