IND vs SA 2022: Rohit Sharma reflects series-leading win on 'tricky wicket'

KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav in first T20I

Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar’s new-ball brilliance, coupled with Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul’s run-chase masterclass guided India to victory in the first T20I.

Earlier, Indian captain Rohit Sharma had won the toss and invited the South Africans to have a bat. Within the first three overs of the match, the Proteas were reduced to 9-5. The visitors never fully recovered from the horrendous start and listed a paltry first-innings total of 106.

The Indians sustained several setbacks early in their innings too. However, opener KL Rahul and in-form Suryakumar Yadav struck sparkling half-centuries and took India 1-0 up in the series.

KL Rahul whacks six to bring up fifty and a win, watch video

IND vs SA 2022: Rohit Sharma reflects pitch after win in low-scoring game

After the match, the ‘Men in Blue’ skipper admitted that the pitch was a bit tricky to bat on. The opening batter himself failed to open his account on the low-scoring evening before Rahul and Yadav launched their rescue mission.

Sharma said that he was expecting some swing early on in the match, but was surprised to see it on offer throughout the proceedings. The veteran also credited his opening partner Rahul as well as Mumbai Indians’ teammate Yadav for guiding India past the finishing line in the run-chase. The legendary opener said:

“It was a tricky wicket. Had to be a tricky chase as well. Yeah, it was nice to play the game like this. Not so much, honestly, but after seeing the grass on the pitch, we thought of some swing early on. But not throughout the match. It did surprise us.”

“The target of 107 was never going to be a walk in the park. We knew it. We needed someone to steer the ship along with someone like Surya, who can hit big shots. Glad that KL (Rahul) did that. He was in a bit of discomfort. But did well to get through the tough times.”

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