India skipper Rohit Sharma: ‘ I don’t believe in a perfect game’
India skipper Rohit Sharma doesn’t believe a team can play the perfect game of cricket but said that his side’s ODI victory over the West Indies ticked all the boxes.
Rohit struck a quick 60 to lay the platform for a successful chase after the India spinners tore through the West Indies.
India lost four wickets in pursuit of the West Indies total of 176 and Rohit believes there are areas where they can improve.
The hosts were not as clinical in the field as they would have liked to be, dropping catches and giving cheap runs away with misfields.
When asked if India played the perfect game, Rohit responded: In patches.
“I don’t believe in a perfect game. We want to keep getting better as a team and all in all it was a great effort from everyone.
“We spoke of what we wanted to achieve and we ticked all the boxes.”
Yuzvendra Chahal credits Washington Sundar with setting tone
India might have hoped to knock the West Indies over for less but a brave eighth wicket stand between Jason Holder and Fabian Allen frustrated Rohit’s side.
“They [Holder-Allen] created that partnership and we wanted to get them out. I’m open to a lot of things if we need to change. The end goal is we should be able to achieve what the team wants – whether we want to bat or bowl differently.”
Rohit opined that India already have a potent unit and need only tweak some small things to hit on a winning formula. He added that individuals need to take responsibility for their progress as players.
“Honestly, I don’t think we need to change a whole lot.
“All I will ask of the players it to challenge yourself and be innovative. I’ve been off for a while and didn’t play for two months.
“I was back home, though, and hitting balls. It’s about finding rhythm as a batter and I was confident going into this game.”
Rohit said that he didn’t feel that the toss was decisive despite getting the best use of a tricky surface.
“The pitch had something in it.
“There was softness early on and in this particular game the toss became important.
“But, if you keep ticking all the boxes, you can restrict any team and the same goes with the batting.
“Toss – I honestly want to take it away from the play, but if you win the toss, you take advantage of it.”
Latest
-
NewsAzeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End
-
NewsJamie Overton falls just short of debut Test century as England take narrow lead
Newcomer Overton was caught behind for 97.
-
NewsGeorge Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
EnglandEngland top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.
-
New ZealandDaryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.
-
EnglandSuperb James Vince ton leads Hampshire to shock win over Somerset
Sussex’s five-match losing streak came to an end with a 17-run win over Surrey.
-
EnglandAdil Rashid to miss England’s India white-ball series to make Mecca pilgrimage
Rashid has found it difficult to make the pilgrimage due to timings and commitments.
-
EnglandJack Leach pleased with good luck but admits freak dismissal no collector’s item
New Zealand closed the opening day of the final Test against England on 225 for five after Henry Nicholls was dismissed in bizarre fashion.