Rohit Sharma wants India to continue experimental approach as they build for 2020 T20 World Cup

Sport360 staff 09:20 11/11/2019
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  • The winning Indian team. Image credit - BCCI/Twitter.

    Stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma believes India need to continue experimenting with their T20 combinations in the run up to the 2020 World Cup in Australia.

    Rohit and his men clinched a hard-fought three-match series against Bangladesh on Sunday when they beat the visitors by 30 runs in the deciding T20I clash in Nagpur. Shreyas Iyer and seamer Deepak Chahar turned out to be the chief architects of India’s win as the recorded only their first home T20 series victory of the year.

    While Iyer’s 33-ball 62 helped India recover form a poor start to ultimately post 174-5, Chahar’s world-record figures of 6-7, which included a hat-trick, were vital in quelling Bangladesh’s challenge after young opener Mohammad Naim had struck a fine 81.

    Another man who impressed for India was rookie all-rounder Shivam Dube who picked up three crucial wickets with the ball to break Bangladesh’s building momentum.

    Speaking to broadcasters Star Sports after India’s decisive win, Rohit hailed India’s bowling display which saw Bangladesh ultimately bowled out for a total of 144 despite being 110-2 at one stage.

    “It was the bowlers who won us the game,” the Indian captain stated.

    “I know I have to say that being a batsman, but I know how tough it was given the dew. But this must be one of the best comebacks in this format for India. It was easy for them at one stage, with 70 needed in eight overs. But the boys showed characters, took up the responsibility.

    “Good to see young players putting their hands up. I just reminded the boys (when the hosts were struggling) that we’re playing for India. Our body language was a little off in the first eight overs, but then we saw a different team India.”

    Less than a year remains for the 2020 T20I World Cup to get underway in Australia and Rohit wants the team management to continue blooding in the youngsters to build the perfect playing XI for the tournament.

    “Until we get close to the World Cup, we have to find the right balance,” he said.

    “Few guys are missing and will come back in, but keeping everything in mind, we’ve got quite a few games before narrowing in on a perfect XI.

    “We can try hell lot of things before getting on that flight to Australia. If we keep playing like the way we did today, it’ll be a good headache to have for Virat (Kohli) and the selectors.”

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