‘Rohit’s double, misdirected yorkers cost us’
MOHALI : After the loss in the second ODI here on Wednesday, Sri Lanka batting coach Thilan Samaraweera felt Rohit Sharma’s double century put them out of the game and bowling yorkers also backfired.
“The plan was to bowl wide yorkers but the execution was poor. Let’s give credit to Rohit; that was a stunning knock. In the end, 390 was too much to chase. This one was special as he scored the second hundred off just 36 balls.”
Rohit pummelled Sri Lanka with his knock of 208.
“Rohit scored the double but credit to (Shikhar) Dhawan. He maintained the momentum in the innings. I don’t think we bowled well from overs 10-20. But from 20 to 30 we got the act together. We gave away the momentum too early,” said Samaraweera.
Heaping praise on the India captain, he said: “He hit 13 sixes and just beat us. The Indian team was under pressure as we were 1-0 up. It was an outstanding knock under those circumstances. We didn’t have a backup plan, but for the third game we will come up with counter moves.”
Samaraweera felt 320-330 was achievable. “This is no way a 390 pitch. Maybe, 320 or 330. We gave 50 runs or so too many. We bowled too many full tosses, short balls and didn’t execute plans well. The second half when they came, they bowled the length well. Bit hard to go over the top then,” he said.
On Angelo Mathews’ century, Samaraweera said his form augurs well. “He is a quality player. His mindset is the biggest thing. Prior to the Test series, I had a chat with him and tried to tell him to play with a positive mindset. In Dharamsala also he batted well and it seems to be working. Hopefully, we have a lot of cricket ahead and he will bounce back strongly.”
Let’s give credit to Rohit; that was a stunning knock. This one was special as he scored the second hundred off just 36 balls.
On the double ton This is no way a 390 pitch. Maybe, 320 or 330. I don’t think we bowled well...we gave away the momentum too early.
On Sri Lanka’s poor show His mindset is the biggest thing. Prior to the Test series, I had a chat with him and tried to tell him to play with a positive mindset.
On Angelo Mathews