Team India skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on flamboyant batter Shreyas Iyer after his terrific 82-run knock against Sri Lanka in the World Cup match at Wankhede Stadium. Iyer, who was under scanners for his recent struggle against short balls, played an incredible knock as he smashed the Lankan bowlers all around the park during his 56-ball stay in the middle.
His knock helped India cross the 350-run mark as the 358-run target put Sri Lanka under immense pressure and they were bundled out for just 55 against a high-quality Indian bowling attack.
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Iyer smashed 3 fours and 6 sixes, including a 106-meter maximum during his knock.
The Indian skipper talked highly of Iyer and said he lived up to his reputation against Lanka with his incredible knock.
“Shreyas is a very strong (in his mind) lad and today, as you saw, he went there and did what he is exactly known for and that is what we expect from him. Showed that he is ready to take the challenge that is in front of him,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
Rohit also hailed Siraj for his work with the new ball as he claimed three wickets in seven balls against Sri Lanka to pin them down early in the chase.
“Siraj is another quality bowler for us and if he does that (making the new ball talk) things look different for us. He (Siraj) has got a lot of skills when he is operating with the new ball,” he added.
The Indian bowlers have been performing exceedingly well this tournament as apart from Afghanistan, they have bundled out every team they have faced so far in the tournament.
“To put in a performance back-to-back against England and now today, shows the quality of the seamers and if there is something in the conditions, they are quite lethal. All in all, it was pleasing to watch (bowlers dominating proceedings) and I hope they continue to do it that way,” Rohit praised the bowling attack.
Meanwhile, the only department in which India had a mixed day was taking DRS as one worked in their favour and one against them.
Talking about the DRS class, Rohit asserted that he has left it to the bowler and wicketkeeper whether or not to take a review.
“I have left it to the bowler and the keeper to make that decision for me, and I gotta find the individuals I can trust and I know it can go the other way as well. We got one right and one wrong today,” he added.
The mammoth 302-run win over Sri Lanka has helped India to become the first team to qualify for the semifinals.
The Indian skipper shared his views on reaching the finals and the team’s clinical performance thus far in the tournament.
“Very happy knowing that we have officially qualified now. Been a good effort from the squad, when we started off in Chennai. This was our goal, to qualify first and then obviously to be in the semis and the finals. The way we approached these 7 games, it was quite clinical. Everyone put in the effort and a lot of individuals have put their hand up. Was a good challenge to put runs on the board, and that’s the kind of template you gotta have when you want to score that many runs. 350 on any pitch is a very good score and a lot of credit to the batting unit for taking us to that score and the bowlers did the job obviously,” Rohit said.
Talking about the upcoming match, Rohit said that the people of Kolkata are going enjoy the thrilling contest between top of the table clash between India and South Africa.
“They (South Africa) are playing some good cricket, and so are we. It’s gonna be a great spectacle for the people out there and people of Kolkata are gonna enjoy that game,” he concluded.
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