World Cup 2023: 'Quite clinical' — Rohit Sharma reacts to India's progress to semi-finals

India captain Rohit Sharma was a delighted man as Men in Blue became the first team to qualify for the World Cup 2023 semi-finals on Thursday with a massive 302-run over Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Team India stormed into the semi-finals with seven wins out of seven matches so far in the World Cup.

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In his first reaction after India’s progress, captain Rohit said that it has been a collective effort by the team.

“I am very happy that we have officially qualified now (for the semis). When we started off in Chennai, this was our goal – to qualify first for the semis and obviously in the final,” Rohit said during the post-match presentation.

“The way we approached these seven games, it was quite clinical. Everyone put in the effort and a lot of individuals have put their hand up.”

While Sri Lanka were bowled out for 55 in reply to India’s 357/8, Rohit praised Shreyas Iyer who struck 82 in just 56 balls to help India get past the 350-run mark.

“That’s the kind of template you need to have when you want to score that many runs, and 350 on any pitch is a very good score and a lot of credit to the batting unit for taking us to that score,” he said. “Shreyas is a very strong (in his mind) lad and he went there and did what he is exactly known for and that is what we expect from him. Shreyas showed that he is ready to take the challenge that is in front of him.”

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The Indian captain also added that Men in Blue are ready for in-form South Africa who they face on 5 November in Kolkata.

“They (South Africa) are playing some good cricket, and so are we. It’s going to be a great spectacle for the people out there and people of Kolkata are going to enjoy that game,” he said.