Rohit Sharma reaction on Ashwin
After posting just 133 on board, Indian fast bowlers did great job in the powerplay as they removed three South African batters inside the powerplay, but the bowlers then failed to break the partnership between Aiden Markram and David Miller, as they guided the Proteas to a manageable equation, with Markram left the crease in the process, Miller remained there till the end and helped his side secure the victory. Let us look at Rohit Sharma reaction on Ashwin here.
The match was very interesting with some drama due to drop catches to missed run-outs, but the centre of discussion after the game was why the Indian skipper handed the 18th over to spinner Ashwin.
South Africa required 25 off 18 balls, and Miller smashed 2 sixes to Ashwin and lifted the pressure. That decision was questionable by many experts that why Rohit gave Ashwin the 18th over instead of 20th.
Rohit Sharma defends his decision
Rohit Sharma, however defended his move and said that he saw what happens in the last over with spinners.
“I have seen what happens in the last over with spinners, so I just wanted to go the other way and see if I could finish Ash and not keep him for the last over,” Sharma said at the post-match presentation on Sunday.
“I just wanted to make sure that the seamers were bowling the right overs, but honestly, when you have options like that, you have to use them at some point. Thought given that the new batter (Tristan Stubbs) came in, it was a perfect time for him to bowl. But things like that can happen. Miller played some good shots as well.”
What Aiden Markram said about their strategy?
The Proteas targeted Ashwin which was expected, as Markram said at the press conference.
“We expected them to take on Keshav. I’m sure they expected us to take on Ashwin as well, just because of the nature of the wicket. Because the seamers were so difficult to get away. So, it almost got to a stage where we had to target someone because they bowled so well initially in the first, pretty much, 10 overs up until the drinks break.
“It got to the stage where we had to pick someone. It could be anyone on any night. And sometimes you execute. Sometimes you don’t. But you pick those matchups according to who you’re most comfortable against on the night. You get to different conditions and those matchups would change completely. It was a discussion we had at the drinks break to pick one of the bowlers, commit to that.”
The Rohit-led side, however, bowled pretty well in the first six overs, having removed top-3 South African batters, but Aiden Markram (52) and David Miller (59*) but a solid partnership between these two mixed with luck help the side claim a victory over India.
“Sometimes you get the rub of the green, sometimes you don’t. At the end of the day you have to be grateful when you do get a bit of luck in the game,” Markram said.
The next two games will be crucial for India to claim the semis berth.
The men in blue will be next seen playing alongside Bangladesh on November. While there final match of the Super 12 stage will be against Zimbabwe on Sunday, November 6.
