India defeated West Indies by eight runs to take 2-0 series lead in Kolkata
Game would have been different had we taken those catches: Rohit Sharma
Virat played a very important innings, great finish from Pant and Iyer: Rohit
Captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment over his side’s sloppy fielding after India sealed a thrilling eight-run win over West Indies in the second T20I to take a 2-0 unbeatable lead in the three-match series in Kolkata on Friday.
Rohit said that the game would have been different had the Indian fielders taken those catches. However, the Indian captain praised Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Venkatesh Iyer and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for contributing with bat and bowl in a thrilling win over WI.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel produced superb bowling in slog overs as India survived some anxious moments before walking out with an eight-run won over West Indies in the second T20I that handed them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Friday.
Chasing a stiff 187, wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran (62 off 41 balls) and Rovman Powell (68 not out from 36 balls) hit belligerent fifties to keep them in the hunt as they needed just 29 runs from the last two overs. Dropped on 21 by Bishnoi in the 10th over, Nicholas Pooran brought up his fifty in 34 balls — his second in as many games — with a slog over off Deepak Chahar’s final over.
Under pressure after he dropped Rovman Powell off his own bowling, Bhuvneshwar was brilliant and conceded just four runs in the over. Needing to defend 25 in the final over, Patel was hit for two consecutive sixes but he held his nerves to seal the issue for India.
“Always a fear when you are playing against these guys. We knew it would be a little tough. We were very well prepared. Under pressure, we executed all our plans,” Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
“It was very critical given the point of time. Experience plays a part. He was hitting those yorkers and that odd bouncer. We believe in his talent. It was very important innings by Virat. He took the pressure off me. Great finish from Pant and Iyer as well,” Rohit added.
“Very happy to see how he has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants. In the end, he wanted to bowl one over as well. We need such characters in our team. We were a bit sloppy on the field. A little disappointed with that. The game would have been different had we taken those catches,” Rohit signed off.
