T20 WC: Qualifying for Super 8s ‘big relief’, playing in New York wasn’t easy – Rohit after India beat USA

Indian captain Rohit Sharma admitted that it is a ‘big relief’ for India to have qualified for the Super 8 round in the T20 World Cup, following their hard-fought seven-wicket win over USA in New York on Wednesday (June 12). Playing at the tough Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York, India were reeling at 10-2 in chase of 111 before Suryakumar Yadav’s 50* guided India home. Arshdeep Singh won the Player-of-the-Match for his 4 for 9. With this, India ended their New York leg, which has been a tough surface for batting and, hence, Rohit was quick to point out that it is a big relief to have qualified ahead. 

After the match, Rohit said, “It is a big relief, playing cricket here wasn’t easy. We had to stick through till the end in all 3 games. Will take a lot of confidence from these wins.” 

He further opined, “Knew it would be tough. Credit to us for the way we held our nerve and got that partnership. Credit to Surya and Dube for showing the maturity and taking us through.”

The New York surface hasn’t been easy for the batters. It has produced variable bounce and the slow outfield has also not helped the batters’ cause.

India ended with three wins on the trot in New York, however, they had their task cut-out versus Pakistan and USA. In the run-chase versus USA, the co-hosts along with West Indies, the Men in Blue were 10-2 and further reduced to 39-3 before Surya and Shivam Dube stuck around and took the game deep, with an unbroken 72-run fourth-wicket stand, to add another win for India.

On Surya’s mature knock, Rohit stated, “He showed he has a different game to him, that’s what you expect from experienced players.” He added, “Credit to the way he stuck through today to take the game deep and win it for us.”

India will play Canada, on June 15, in their final game from Group A before the Super 8 round kicks off.