Rohit scores ton as India hammer England by seven wickets to seal series 2-1
The Indian team with the winners' trophy at Bristol yesterday. Pic/AFP
Some say he is over the hill, others feel he is out of form, but one thing is certain, never discount Rohit Sharma. When he is in the mood, no total is safe for the opponents to defend. That is what happened in the deciding T20I at Brightside Ground here yesterday.
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India chased the formidable 199-run target with eight balls to spare. Rohit scored his third T20I century as the visitors clinched the series 2-1. Small boundaries and a decent pitch made for a heady mix with England showing their batting might. But the Indian bowlers did well to pull things back in the last 10 overs to keep the home team under 10 an over when it seemed they would race away to 220.
Scoring at 10 an over proved easy meat despite India losing Shikhar Dhawan early and KL Rahul to a brilliant catch by Chris Jordan.
India's Rohit Sharma celebrates his century against England during the third T20 International at Bristol yesterday. Pic/AFP
Kohli among runs
Rohit made the most of the small boundaries. Skipper Virat Kohli too found himself among runs as the duo frustrated England. Later, belligerent Hardik Pandya joined the party as India romped home to victory. Rohit got to his hundred from just 57 balls with 11 fours and five sixes.
He was named both the man of the match and the series. Pandya remained unbeaten on 33 from just 14 balls to complete the win. India will, of course, take the winning momentum into the three-match ODI series that begins on June 12. Of course, the highlight will be the five-match Test series later in August and September, and with India triumphing in T20s, it is a right step in preparing for that series.
Kudos to Indian bowlers
The Indian bowlers too deserve kudos as they did well to pull things back after England were flowing at 103 for one in the 10th over, when debutante Deepak Chahar got rid of the dangerous Jason Roy, who was dealing in fours and sixes.
Had Roy stayed for a few overs more, he might have batted India out of the match. He scored 67 from just 31 balls, of which four were sent to the ropes and seven over them.
After the departure of Roy, the England innings failed to take off, though they did just about manage to score at just under 10 an over. With Hardik and Umesh Yadav rattling the batsmen with short deliveries and smart yorkers, England could manage only 98 in the last 11 overs.
India's only spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the most parsimonious, with an economy rate of 7.5, though he did not manage a wicket. "I am used to small boundaries at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. So, I have worked out my line and length well for smaller ground," Chahal said about being economical at both Cardiff and here.
Chahar had a decent debut, as he came back well after conceding 20 in the first over, by bagging the dangerman Roy. But it was Hardik who chipped in with wickets at vital stages to help India pull things back.
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