Rohit Sharma has given a honest response to India's fielding off-day in Dharamsala. In a closely-fought contest at the Cricket World Cup 2023, India extended their dominance over New Zealand on Sunday in Dharamshala.
While India showcased their prowess with both bat and ball, their fielding performance left much to be desired, prompting captain Rohit Sharma to offer an honest take on the situation.
India had entered the match with the best catching efficiency among all sides, boasting an impressive 82.6%. However, on the day, they were uncharacteristically sloppy, spilling a couple of straightforward chances. The most surprising of these missed opportunities came from the usually reliable Ravindra Jadeja, widely regarded as the best fielder in the world.
India vs New Zealand result: Highlights, scorecard and man of the match
New Zealand capitalized on these errors, posting a challenging total. Nevertheless, India managed to overcome their own sloppiness to secure victory.
Rohit Sharma reacts to India's fielding
Despite the fielding hiccups, Rohit Sharma remained unfazed, stating, “Fielding is something we pride ourselves on. It wasn't as clinical as we'd like to. Couple of dropped catches but those guys are good. Jadeja is among the best in the game. These things happen. We know that fielding is something that will decide a lot of things going forward.”
For India, fielding was the only blemish on an otherwise clinical performance. They missed the services of Hardik Pandya in this clash, but Mohammed Shami, who replaced Shardul Thakur in the XI, shone brightly with a sensational five-wicket haul. Shami's performance played a pivotal role in restricting New Zealand to a manageable total of 273.
Rohit Sharma praised Shami's skill and experience, stating, “Shami took the opportunity with both hands. He has the experience in these conditions and is a class bowler. Credit to our bowlers at the back end.”
Rohit also expressed his enjoyment of his batting form, having consistently provided explosive starts for the team in the powerplay. His partnership with Shubman Gill set the stage for India's successful chase. Although Rohit fell just short of his fifty, by the 11th over, India had raced to the 70-run mark, laying a strong foundation for the win.
Virat Kohli, often referred to as the “chase-master,” played a crucial role in India's victory with his magnificent 95. Despite falling agonizingly short of a century, Kohli's knock ensured India's fifth consecutive win in the World Cup.
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In the aftermath of the contest, Rohit Sharma acknowledged Kohli's consistent brilliance, stating, “Nothing much to say about Virat. We've seen him do this for so many years. He backs himself to do the job.”
With this victory, India now sits atop the World Cup table, inching closer to securing a spot in the semi-finals. They need just one more win from their remaining four encounters to seal their spot in the knockout stage. India will enjoy a week off before their next clash against England in Lucknow.
India pulls clear as the only undefeated team at #CWC23 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/GDesKM7Pe5
— ICC (@ICC) October 23, 2023
In addition to their on-field performance, India has a tradition of celebrating exceptional catches in their dressing room, with medals awarded to the best catches. Despite a few lapses in fielding, India's commitment to excellence remains unwavering as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
In a thrilling match that showcased India's prowess, the team's batting, bowling, and their commitment to excellence in fielding were evident. With their eyes set on the World Cup, India remains a formidable force in the tournament, driven by their determination to overcome any challenges that come their way.
