Rohit Sharma has kick-started his full-time India captaincy reign on a positive note. After thrashing the West Indies 3-0 in the ODI series, the Men In Blue defeat Kieron Pollard’s side by 6 wickets in the first T20I in Kolkata. Debutant Ravi Bishnoi was the Player of the Match for his terrific spell of 2/17 in 4 overs.
In the chase of 158, Sharma gave India a rocketing start, smashing 40 runs off 19 balls, whacking 4 fours and three sixes. However, the West Indies came back in the game after Sharma’s dismissal as Ishan Kishan found it difficult to get going. Kishan, Kohli, and Pant were dismissed in quick succession as the visitors fought back in the middle-overs.
However, Suryakumar Yadav continued his brilliant T20 form, stroking 34 off 18 balls, and finished the chase with Venkatesh Iyer who scored 24 off 13 balls.
One name that was missing and had people’s minds occupied was Shreyas Iyer, who, earlier in the day, was named as Kolkata Knight Riders’ new captain. That Iyer was not included in the eleven despite hitting a match-winning 80 in the third ODI was a bold call by Sharma.
The skipper though gave an explanation at the post-match press conference as to why the Iyer that played in the first T20I was Venkatesh and not Shreyas.
Rohit asserted that he wanted to play an all-rounder in the eleven to support the other main five bowlers. Venkatesh did bowl one over in the middle, conceding 4 runs, before hitting the winning runs with the bat.
“Someone like Shreyas Iyer is sitting out, very hard on him not making it to playing eleven, but we needed someone to bowl in the middle which is why we couldn’t get him in. It’s always nice with that kind of competition going around and a lot of the guys are missing out as well. I’m happy to have that kind of challenges rather than not having players available and not in form.
Rohit revealed that the management had explained to Iyer that they want to keep an all-rounder – Venkatesh in this case – game ready as they prepare a squad for the T20 World Cup later in the year, and lauded Shreyas for understanding this and acknowledged his team-first attitude.
“We were very clear with Shreyas and we told him we want that option going into the World Cup. Guys do understand what the team wants and all these guys are professionals and they do understand that team comes first,” the skipper added.
The second T20I of the series will be played on Friday at the same venue.
