World Cup 2023: Restricting Pakistan to 190 was a great effort, says India skipper Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma heaped praise on his bowling department after India’s commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their ICC World Cup match in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

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Pakistan suffered a batting collapse of epic proportions, losing eight wickets for just 36 runs to get bundled out for 191 from 155/2. The Men in Blue, who are hosting ICC’s showpiece event after 12 years, would easily overhaul the target later in the evening at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

“Restricting them to 190 was a great effort. It was not a 190 pitch. At one stage we were looking at 280 or 290. Whoever gets the ball does the job for the team.

“We have got six individuals who can do the job. It cannot be everyone’s day every day. The person having a good day has to finish the job,” Rohit said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Rohit also praised his teammates for understanding the roles assigned to them.

“The role clarity as well was great. We knew what to do. Entering the WC we didn’t want to see what happened previously. We were very clear about what we wanted to do. The batters got the opportunity and made it count. The bowlers also did their job. Lots of five-fors,” added ‘Hitman’, who led from the front with a 63-ball 86.

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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who top-scored for his side with a 58-ball 50, rued the team’s collapse in the middle overs after their strong start.

“We started well, good partnership. We just planned to play normal cricket an build partnerships. Suddenly there was a collapse and we could not finish well. Not good for us, the way we started, our target was 280-290 but the collapse cost us.

“The total was not good. We are not up to the mark with the new ball. The way Rohit played, was an outstanding innings. We just tried to take wickets, but that didn’t happen,” Babar added.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged the Player of the Match for his figures of 7-1-19-2, bowling with a miserly economy of 2.70.

Speaking after the game, Bumrah spoke about the variations that helped him keep a check on the batters, especially his slower deliveries.

“We knew the wicket was on the slower side so the hard lengths were the way. We were trying to make it as difficult as possible for the batters. Just the awareness helps.

“I saw Jaddu’s (Ravindra Jadeja) ball was turning, so I count my slower ball as a spinner’s slower ball. I thought that can make the run-scoring tough, and it worked,” added Bumrah.