ICC Champions Trophy 2013: MS Dhoni praises Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (L) scored 65 runs against South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 after being promoted to open the innings © Getty Images
Cardiff: Jun 7, 2013
MS Dhoni said that India showed plenty of “controlled aggression” as South Africa buckled under pressure in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 opener in Cardiff on Thursday. Chasing an imposing target of 332, South Africa were all out for 305, losing by 26 runs.
“The boys played with plenty of aggression, but it was controlled,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony. Expectedly, the captain was full of praise for openers Shikhar Dhawan (114) and Rohit Sharma (65), who laid the platform with 127-run stand after India were put in.
“Rohit batted well along with Shikhar, gave us a good platform, but we lost too many wickets during the middle. Going by our position around the 35th over mark, we were short by at least 25 runs.”
“You talk about giving guys consistent chances, last ODI Rohit played, he did as an opener, selectors also backed us up, they said let him play all three games as an opener, it worked for us,” he added.
Asked about the Indian batsmen resorting to playing the pull shot, he said, “Before you play the pull, best option is to take a single, if that is not working, go after the bowler. And the fifth fielder inside also helps.”
Dhoni operated the spinners well to put South Africa under pressure. “Spin was needed at that point of time. It worked for us, we got those run outs as well.”