India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, expressed admiration for captain Rohit Sharma's outstanding performance in the thrilling third T20I against Afghanistan at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite a challenging start to the series with two successive ducks, Rohit's exceptional unbeaten century played a pivotal role in India's 3-0 series victory.
Dravid commended Rohit's brilliance, especially in the context of the match where India found themselves at 22 for 4 at one stage. The coach highlighted Rohit's incredible hitting, acknowledging the challenge of setting the pace while ensuring game protection. Rohit's century, the fifth in T20Is, contributed significantly to India's total of 212/4, with 103 runs scored in the last five overs.
"The thing with Rohit is the kind of range that he has; it's hard to bowl at him when he's set at the back end. You can't bowl short because he's really good with the pull, (can't) bowl up and he's got a great range as well. It's really good to have him back; just his presence in the dressing room has been very helpful. Both Virat (Kohli) and him add a lot to this group," Dravid remarked on Rohit's exceptional batting.
Dravid also praised Rohit's strategic approach, including the use of unconventional shots like reverse sweeps and switch hits. The coach revealed that the team had been emphasizing the importance of opening up square parts of the wicket, and Rohit's leadership in implementing these strategies was evident.
In addition to Rohit's performance, Dravid acknowledged the contribution of middle-order batter Rinku Singh, who remained unbeaten on 69 off 39 balls. Dravid commended Rinku's maturity and calmness, highlighting his ability to build a crucial partnership and showcase his skills at the back end of the innings. The coach noted Rinku's clarity about his strengths, areas for improvement, and his approach to constructing innings.
Overall, Dravid's post-match comments reflected on the individual brilliance of Rohit Sharma, the team's strategic focus on unconventional shots, and the emerging talent of players like Rinku Singh, contributing to India's success in the T20I series against Afghanistan.
(With Agency Inputs)
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