Rohit Sharma is backing his bowlers to do the job

I thought the bowlers have really stepped up in the last five games. They've done whatever is asked of them. Especially seeing such performances in India to nip the ball around, it's great to see. To see them being rewarded for the hard work is good,” told Rohit after the win in the second ODI.

Rohit Sharma in a file photo. (Image: Twitter)
By Kshitij Ojha | Jan 21, 2023 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Following an exciting last-over finish in Hyderabad, India cruised to an eight-wicket victory in Raipur behind an excellent performance from their quick bowlers to lead the series 2-0 with one match remaining. India’s dominance began with a show of swing and seam with pinpoint accuracy, bowling New Zealand out for 108 in under 35 overs in the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium’s international debut. Two excellent return receptions also aided matters. India chased it down in 20.1 overs as skipper Rohit Sharma batted 51 from 50 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes before Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan saw the hosts through. It was India’s seventh straight bilateral ODI series victory at home.

After winning the toss, India utilised stifling Test-match bowling from Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj to reduce New Zealand to 9 for 3. Hardik Pandya bowled three maidens and took 2 for 16 from six overs as New Zealand fell to 15 for 5 after 10.3 overs, with their top five all falling in single figures. Glenn Phillips helped Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner push the score above 100, but 108 was too low for a club that had scored 349 and 390 in their previous two games. Mohammed Shami set the tone early on by dismissing Finn Allen in the first over. Allen, who tends to remain in the background, slogged one across the line and was cleaned up by Shami. Mohammed Siraj then used his signature three-quarter seam to nip it away from left-handed Henry Nicholls, forcing him to edge one behind. Shami followed that up by removing Daryl Mitchell, who got a leading edge back to the bowler.

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The bowlers have done well for us: Rohit Sharma

The wicket-taking continued as Hardik Pandya took a fantastic one-handed return catch to send Conway back to the pavilion. Latham did not last long either, as he tamely edged Shardul Thakur to Shubman Gill as New Zealand fell to a dangerous 15 for 5. Bracewell, though, was unable to recreate his heroics from the first ODI, as he top-edged a pull to the wicket-keeper. Phillips then teamed up with Mitchell Santner to share another promising 47-yard stand. But Hardik cleaned up Santner with a slower one, and Phillips hit one off Washington Sundar to deep midwicket in the following over. Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav claimed the final two wickets to put the closing touches on the game.

“They (the fast bowlers) were quite happy to go on but I told them, boss, there’s a Test series coming up, so they have to look after themselves. I have to step in and draw the line to say there are other bowlers as well. Magnificent from them (the bowlers). I thought the bowlers have really stepped up in the last five games. They’ve done whatever is asked of them. Especially seeing such performances in India to nip the ball around, it’s great to see. To see them being rewarded for the hard work is good,” told Rohit after the win in the second ODI.





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