A huge relief to have made it to the Super Eights: Riet Sharma
A huge relief to have made it to the Super Eights: Riet Sharma
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| PHOTO: FACEBOOK |
After India defeated the United States by seven wickets on Wednesday, captain Rohit Sharma said it was a "big relief" for his highly anticipated squad to advance to the T20 World Cup second round.
India advanced to the Super Eights stage along with South Africa and Australia after winning three of their three Group A matches.
Following an easy eight-wicket thumping of Ireland to begin the tournament, Rohit's team successfully defended a modest 119 to upset archrivals Pakistan by six runs.
On Wednesday, India was given a 111-run target to defeat the hosts on the challenging and low-scoring Nassau County International Cricket Stadium ground.
On Wednesday, India was given a 111-run target to defeat the hosts on the challenging and low-scoring Nassau County International Cricket Stadium ground.
Before Suryakumar Yadav (50) and Shivam Dube (31) put on an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 67 to win victory with 10 balls remaining, they were reeling at 15-2 and then 44-3.
"You must persevere and play the game thoroughly. It wasn't simple to play here."
To have made it to the Super Eights is a huge relief. In each of the three games we played, the outcome could have gone to anyone," Rohit remarked.
"You must persevere and play the game thoroughly. It wasn't simple to play here."
India owed a lot to left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, who claimed a career-high 4-9 to limit the United States to 110 in their 20 overs, in addition to crucial blows from Yadav and Dube.
"We were aware that this would be a challenging task. After superstar teammate Virat Kohli was removed for nought off the first ball he faced, Rohit, who made just three, continued, "We lost some wickets up front but we showed some maturity to take the game to the end."
Some of the familiar faces on the USA team were honored by Rohit.
Some of the familiar faces on the USA team were honored by Rohit.
Although he only finished with 2-18 from his four overs, Mumbai-born opening bowler Saurabh Netravalkar—who represented India at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup—had the solace of having dismissed both Rohit and Kohli.
When he bowled the crucial Super Over in his team's thrilling victory over 2009 champions Pakistan in Dallas, Netravalkar had already cemented his reputation.
"We played with a lot of these USA players and I am very happy to see their progress in cricket," said Rohit.
"They are getting better and better, and I hope the best for them." These are diligent men who are making a name for themselves in the US."
The United States still has a good chance of joining India in the Super Eights despite their loss on Wednesday; they have four points, while Pakistan and Canada have two and one game remaining, respectively.
When he bowled the crucial Super Over in his team's thrilling victory over 2009 champions Pakistan in Dallas, Netravalkar had already cemented his reputation.
"We played with a lot of these USA players and I am very happy to see their progress in cricket," said Rohit.
"They are getting better and better, and I hope the best for them." These are diligent men who are making a name for themselves in the US."
In their final pool match on Friday in Florida, the US takes on Ireland, who are currently at the bottom. A victory, or even a draw, would advance them to the next round.