Ahmedabad: India put in a commanding performance against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and went on to seal the five-match T20I series 3-2 after an impressive all-round display on Saturday.
Virat Kohli emerged as the player of the series having scored the most runs in the series. Following his impressive return as an opener, the Indian skipper hinted saying he would definitely like to partner with Rohit Sharma more often.
“I would definitely like to partner Rohit at the top. As I rightly said, if we have a partnership and both are set, one of us will do the damage and the other guys feel a lot more confident when one of us is still in and is set and know they can play more freely. It augurs well for the team. Hopefully, it will continue and we continue the form into the World Cup,” Kohli said.
Kohli had said before the start of the series that India would open with KL Rahul and Rohit. But Rahul’s poor form gave way for Kohli to move to the top of the order.
“Rohit and I were both positive in our intent. We knew we could trust each other and one of us can play second fiddle if one takes off. Today it was classic Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli said while lauding his new opening partner. And then Surya coming in at three and taking the game even further away. Then Hardik finishing it.”
He further opined, “I am going to open in the IPL as well. I have batted in different positions in the past. But I feel we do have a solid middle-order now. And now it’s about our two best players getting the maximum number of overs in T20I cricket.”
“But I feel we have a solid middle-order now. I would like to partner Rohit through to the 2021 World Cup. It’s about the two best batsmen batting most balls. If anyone of us can stay on, we can cause a lot of damage. Other guys feel a lot more confident when one of us is still in and is set.”
Opening for the first time in T20Is together, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli put on a 94-run stand for the first wicket in just nine overs as the unbeaten duo took the game away from the opposition in the first half of their innings. As a result, India posted a mammoth 224 runs against England.
