Skipper Rohit Sharma was effusive in his praise of the bowlers as they triggered Pakistan’s collapse in Saturday’s marquee World Cup clash in Ahmedabad.
During India’s run chase, Rohit’s blazing 86 off 63 balls did make the task easier. But according to the captain, it was the bowlers who “set the game up” for India, who won by seven wickets.
“The bowlers were the ones today (Saturday) as well who set the game up for us,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
“I don’t think it was a 190 pitch. At one stage, we were looking at (chasing) 280. But the way they (bowlers) showed their grit says a lot.
“That is something we pride ourselves in. Whoever gets the ball does the job. We’ve got six individuals who can do the job with the ball.”
As captain, Rohit said, his job is to read the conditions and figure out which bowler can be effective. “My job as a captain is important there as well. It’s to read the conditions and figure out who’s the right guy to do the job,” he said.
The man to stand out with the ball was Jasprit Bumrah (2/19 in 7 overs), whose off-cutter to clean up the well-set Mohammad Rizwan worsened matters for Pakistan.
“We were bowling in the middle overs and I saw Jaddu’s ball was turning a little bit. I count my slower ball as that of a spinner... One of those days where it came off,” Man of the Match Bumrah said.
