Rohit Sharma, leading India as the full-time ODI skipper for the first time on Sunday, scored 61 runs in 51 balls as the hosts defeated Kieron Pollard’s West Indies by six wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Talking about the win after the match, Sharma urged his players to be innovative and challenge themselves. 

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Rohit Sharma was returning to the action after missing the South Africa tour because of a hamstring injury. 

India chased down West Indies’ below-par 176 in 28 overs to win the game. 

“We want to keep getting better as a team. The end goal is we should be able to achieve what the team wants. If the team requires us to do something different, we have to do it. Don’t think we have to change a lot,” Rohit said during the post-match presentation.

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Opting to field, India reduced West Indies to 79 for 7 but Jason Holder (57 off 71) and Fabian Allen (29 off 43) managed to lift the team to a respectable 176 all out in 43.5 overs.

“All I ask from players is to keep challenging themselves and be a little more innovative and try different things, so that when situation arises guys are up for it,” Sharma continued. 

In the second innings, India got to a stable start with Rohit and Ishan Kishan stitching an 84-run stand at the top. However, Alzarri Joseph managed to get a couple wickets quickly. But Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 36 not out) and debutant Deepak Hooda (26 off 32 not out) took the team home.

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“I don’t believe in perfect game. You cannot be perfect. All in all a great effort from everyone. We ticked all boxes. Pretty happy with that,” Rohit said.

Asked what the team could have done differently, the 34-year-old said: “With that bat we could’ve finished with not so many wickets, that is one. Could also have created pressure on their lower order. Don’t want to take any credit away. The way we bowled upfront and then towards the back end was good to see.”