Rohit Sharma: The team wants to play and bowl in a certain way and we want to give them that freedom

Team India was struggling with the bowling department for a few months while skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday said India’s death overs bowling issues are not a concern but the team does need to improve its execution at the back end of the match.

Team India was struggling with the bowling department for a few months. In the recent Asia Cup, he didn’t do well in the death overs and couldn’t reach the tournament final. 

The same thing was seen in the series against Australia and their main bowlers leaked so many runs. India’s death overs bowling issues are not a concern but the team does need to improve its execution at the back end of the match, said skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday.

“The team wants to play and bowl in a certain way and we want to give them that freedom. Yes, we have not bowled well in the death in the last five or six games. But that is the area where people will challenge us and we are doing the same to the opposition as well,”

Rohit said in the post-match presentation.

“To bowl and bat at the death is very tough. That is where the game is decided. I wouldn’t say it’s concerning, but it’s an area we need to pick ourselves up and get our act together.”

India’s top order once again put on a solid display and Rohit said they would hope to precede their ultra-aggressive batting approach.

“It is something that all of us came together and we said this is what we wanted to do as a team. It might not come across at times, but we want to stick to it,”

he said.

“What I have seen in the last 8-10 months is individuals putting their hand up and getting the job done for the team. Guys without too much experience did this as well.”

A disappointed South Africa captain Temba Bavuma blamed the bowlers.

“It wasn’t our best performance, the conditions were different. We couldn’t execute our plans. Late with the bat, I thought we could have given it a good go with 220 but 240 was too high,”

he said.

“Miller was looking good, a lot of confidence to be taken from his performance. The conditions were tough; we tried to get it swinging the ball early. But when it reduced, we saw how easy it was,”

the SA skipper said.

“It’s important as an opener to understand what’s required on a particular day for the team. It’s good to test yourself in different conditions, so I was satisfied,”

said Rahul.

“After the first 2-3 overs today, the chat between Rohit and I was that 180-190 would be a good target.

“The way Virat batted and Dinesh did well. The back-foot punch set me up, when I play both sides of the wicket, I know my balance is good and the head is stable.” 

India will next take on South Africa in the third and final T20I on October 4 in Indore.