Rohit Sharma's brigade bulldozed New Zealand by eight wickets in the second ODI in Raipur on Saturday (January 21) and with this they have sealed the series 2-0 with a match to spare.
India's sensational bowling attack led by star pacer Mohammed Shami's accurate bowling kept New Zealand batters in check as the Tom Latham's side was bundled for just 110. Shami was India's pick of the bowlers as he bowled an exceptional spell of 3/18. Chasing a lowly target of 111, skipper Rohit cracked a 50-ball 51 to win the match in the 21st over.
Rohit's 51-run knock was decorated with seven fours and two sixes as it was his 46th fifty-plus score for India in an ODI chase. The Hitman has been scoring half centuries here and there but have failed to score big as his century drought has now extended to three years. But he is quite content with his batting and is not at all worried about the lack of centuries in his kitty.
"I'm trying to change my game a bit now, have been trying to take the bowlers on and I think that's important, to try to put the pressure back. I know the big scores haven't come, but I'm not too worried about it," Rohit said at the presentation ceremony. I am happy with my batting. I have kept my approach quite similar. I am happy with how I am going. I know a big score is around the corner," Rohit said in the post match presentation.
Rohit is setting things up for the upcoming ODI World Cup which is his bigger goal. He said the team wants to do all sorts of things (experimentation) before entering the showpiece event.
Beside Shami's heroic, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, Mohammed Siraj (1/10) and Hardik Pandya (2/16) were also bowled economical spells to put a leash on Kiwi batters.
"I thought these last five games, the bowlers have really stepped up. Whatever we have asked of them, they have delivered. Especially doing this in India. You can expect these performances away from India, but they have real skills. When we trained here yesterday in the night, it moved around, there was good carry. Which is why we wanted that challenge: 250 would have been quite challenging. Shami and Siraj did want to go on for longer spells, but I told them a big Test series coming up (against Australia), so we need to take care of themselves as well," Rohit said.
Meanwhile, the third ODI between India and New Zealand will be played in Indore on January 24.
