We would have chased down any target: Rohit
mumbai — Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Sunday said his side would have overhauled even a bigger target in the third and final T20 International against Sri Lanka, though they needed to bat till the final over to chase down 136 for a win.
“Throughout the series we had six batters plus one all rounder, so we had seven batsmen. We always knew that whatever target is set up, we back our batsmen to get it,” Rohit said after India beat Sri Lanka by five wickets to sweep the threematch T20 series 3-0.
“I am happy with the composition we had throughout the series. Guys who got opportunities made it count throughout. It was thoroughly a team effort. Each and every guy has put in a lot of effort,” he added. He praised his young team-mates for the way they performed in the series.
“A lot of the guys were playing their first game, second game, but it never seemed that way. They were confident and it was our job as management to back them. They came and did what they were expected to do,” said Rohit who was captaining the side in the limited overs series in the absence of Virat Kohli. Asked about the upcoming India’s tour of South Africa, he said, “We are looking very much forward to South Africa.
“But I would like to reiterate the home season we’ve had has been a very good one. It’s never easy, no matter whwat conditions you play in. There were few hiccups in the middle. Games like Dharamsala which taught us a lot.” National coach Ravi Shastri also spoke about the upcoming tour of South Africa, which starts with a three-match Test series from January 5. The team is scheduled to depart on December 27 and would be aiming to secure its first Test series triumph on the South African soil.
“For us all opposition is the same, all oppositions have to be respected and every game is a home match. And as it turned out that next we are in South Africa. Where South Africa is different is that we haven’t won a series in South Africa,” he said.
“Therein lies a massive opportunity for the team to do something special. The belief is there. We are going there and we will treat South Africa like we treat any other opposition we have played against. There will be respect but we will go there to win,” he added.
Shastri heaped praise on current skipper Virat Kohli, who took a break from the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka after a massively successful year with the bat.
Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera said he was proud of his bowling unit. “As a captain, I am proud of my bowling unit. As bowlers, we did pretty well today also. Have to click with our batting. We have improved in fielding also,” he said.
“We learnt a lot because we all know India is a big team at the moment. Learnt a lot of things from these T20Is.” ” — PTI