3rd T20I: Skipper Rohit Sharma credits Suryakumar Yadav, bowlers for win vs West Indies

Riding on Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant half-century, India defeated West Indies by seven wickets in the third T20I at the Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts. Rohit Sharma and co now lead the five-match series 2-1. 

Surya, who came in as an opener, smashed 76 runs in 44 balls with the help of eight boundaries and four maximums. For the Mumbai Indians player, Shreyas Iyer (24 off 26 balls) was an ideal partner at the other end in a stand of 86. India chased down a 165-run target with one over to spare. 

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By the time Yadav was dismissed, India had the match under control with Rishabh Pant (33 not out off 26 balls) providing finishing touches.

Skipper Rohit Sharma praised Surya’s knock and partnership with Iyer. He also went on to say that the bowlers delivered well in the middle overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked two wickets while Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda took one each. 

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“I thought we used the conditions well. Used the variations well. Was very clinical how we chased. When you watched from the outside, didn’t feel a lot of risk was taken, was a lot of calmness in the middle. Surya batted brilliantly, good partnership there with Iyer. The pitch had something in it for the bowlers, not an easy target. Was important to pick the right shots, right balls on a ground like that,” Sharma said after the match. 

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The captain made 11 runs before he was retired hurt. Sharma pulled a muscle near his waist while batting. It couldn’t be ascertained whether it is more than a muscle pull or the Indian skipper could be a doubtful starter for the next two games scheduled in Florida on August 6 and 7.

“It’s okay at the moment. We’ve got a few days till the next game, hopefully it should be okay (his injury). How we bowled in the middle overs was crucial,” Rohit Sharma said.