The Indian fast bowlers went on a rampage in the second ODI against New Zealand on Saturday, dispatching the away side with a modest 108-run score. Mohammed Shami took 3/18, while Mohammed Siraj also looked brilliant with the new ball, taking 1/10 in 6 overs. Both wanted to continue testing New Zealand batsmen on conditions favourable to bowling but were turned down by skipper Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma, who has been one of the most consistent players for India since the beginning of the series, has revealed that he had a stern talk with Shami and Siraj ahead of their second ODI against New Zealand to make sure they did not replicate their performances in the first game. “I have talked with both Shami and Siraj. They wanted to continue testing the batsmen on the conditions favourable to them, but I told them, ‘No, we need to step up’,” Rohit said in a press conference.
Rohit Sharma decided to step up to prevent Shami and Siraj from bowling in the middle. They are said to have been looking forward to continuing their bowling performances at the SCG, but Rohit asked them to sit on the bench. In a press conference, Rohit revealed his conversation with Shami and Siraj after the match.
“The two players were not ready to step aside. I had to intervene. They were not ready to listen. Yes. We cannot have players fighting on the pitch,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“They (Shami and Siraj) were looking forward to long bowling, but I reminded them that there is also a Test series coming up (Australia at home), so we must take care of ourselves too.” Draw more lines on me and say: ‘Boss, there are other bowlers too,'” he said.
The Indian captain praised the performance of the Indian bowlers in the match. He said, “I felt that the bowlers have stepped up in these last five games. Anything we’ve asked of them, they’ve delivered. Especially doing it in India. You expect these performances outside of India. But he has real ability. When we trained here last night, he came around good carries. That’s why we wanted that challenge – 250 would have been quite challenging.”
He spoke about the win and the game plan for the second ODI: “We trained yesterday, and the ball was spinning under the lights. We knew if they have 250 or more, it’s ours.” point of choosing to pursue. The plan was to challenge me because we batted first in the previous game. I’m not sure what I’ll do in Indore (in the last game). Inner confidence is high, and it’s great to see it.”
The second ODI was also a turning point for Rohit Sharma, who revealed his conversation of him with Shami Siraj (Bang) at the post-match press conference. He revealed that the Bangladeshi pacer expressed his intention to ‘step up’ and take control of the match. Rohit said that he had made it clear to Shami that he was not in a position to do so. There is no point in doing this to yourself. I need to intervene, so it’s my job to do it. I didn’t make him [Shami] feel like he was doing him a favour by letting him play,” Rohit said. Rohit also revealed his heated exchange with Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim in the pre-match press conference.
India now has a 2-0 lead in the three-match series after winning the second ODI.
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