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India's captain Rohit Sharma was all praise for his team, especially Virat Kohli, after they thrashed West Indies by 8 runs in the second T20 and ultimately clinch the three-match T20 series 2-0 on Friday (February 18).
Set to chase 186, West Indies needed 29 off the last two overs. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel kept their calm to bowl India to win the match and series.
“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. It was very critical given the point of time. Experience plays a part. He (Bhuvi) was hitting those yorkers and that odd bouncer. We believe in his talent. It was very important innings from Virat. The way he started off, took the pressure of me as well. We didn't start well in the first two overs, then he came in and started playing those shots which was very pleasing to the eye. Great finish from Pant and Iyer as well. Very happy to see how he (Venkatesh Iyer) 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 said in the post match presentation.
Virat Kohli (52 of 41) and Rishabh Pant (52 not out off 28) scored half-centuries for the hosts while Roston Chase took three wickets for the Caribbean side. Nicholas Pooran (62 off 41) and Rovman Powell (68 not out off 36) kept the West Indies in the run chase but eventually ended at 178 for three in 20 overs.
Pant was adjudged Man of the Match for his exceptional knock.
“As long as the team wants me to bat anywhere, I am fine. I think inside the circle, everyone was looking for that catch (Powell) to be taken and we thought it was Bhuvi's catch but it happens and it's part and parcel of the game. I don't mind playing the situation and not only at the death. The more you practice, the better you get. The only thing we (during partnership with Venkatesh Iyer) were talking was we will play according to every ball. It is never easy to play every game but this is what I have always wanted to do. I always enjoy what I do. He (Powell) was hitting bullets. At the back of my mind I was happy as well as Powell will be playing for Delhi Capitals (smiles),” Pant said.
It was a double jolt for Caribbeans, who have already lost the three-match ODI series 3-0 and followed it up with the back to back defeats in the first two T20I matches against India.
“He (Powell) was phenomenal today. His partnership with Pooran almost got us over the line. We did well to take it as deep as we can. We can look at different ways as to how we could have gotten those 8 runs. At the end of it, we can look at so many ways. He (Chase) has bowled well. He came in and showed us something. Again he delivered for us. We can't just call batters out. Was a very good game. We sort of rectified our mistakes from the previous games,” West Indies' skipper Kieron Pollard said after the match.
