“Play freely, don’t think too much…”: Rohit Sharma’s message to India ahead of T20 World Cup semi-final against England

Gros Islet (St Lucia), : After India secured their place in the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup, captain Rohit Sharma urged his team to continue playing ‘freely’ and not think about what to expect awaited as they took on defending champions England in the semi-finals.

Rohit also stated that hundreds and half centuries did not count towards his blistering 92-set Men in Blue’s 24-run win against Australia.

Rohit’s swashbuckling 92, followed by the influential spells of Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, along with Axar Patel’s one-handed stunner, secured a 24-run win for India against Australia and sealed their place in the semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup on Monday.

In a turbulent chase that saw momentum swing like a pendulum in St Lucia, it was India who secured their tickets to the semi-finals with a commanding victory.

Rohit’s knock of 92 runs earned him the Player of the Match award.

When asked about their plans for the semi-final against England, Rohit said India does not want to do anything different and play the same way they have throughout the tournament, stressing the importance of playing freely and not worrying about the opposition.

“We don’t want to do anything different, play the same way and understand what each person has to do. Play freely and don’t think too much about what awaits us. Don’t think about the opponent. We have done it consistently. I just have to keep going. It will be a great match, nothing will change for us as a team,” Rohit said in a post-match presentation.

The India captain said that as a team they continued to do the things they were supposed to do and said 200 was a good score but when a team is playing in St. Lucia and the wind is a big factor, anything can happen.

“Satisfactory. We know the opposition and the threat they bring. As a team we have done well and we have continued to do the things we had to do. Gives us a lot of confidence as a team. 200 is a good score, but if you play here Because wind is a big factor, anything can happen. But I think we were very used to the conditions, and it was about individuals doing their job,” he added.

The right-handed batsman said that as the deliveries in New York were pace-friendly, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav had to miss out, but they knew he had a big role to play here in the Caribbean. In India’s last Super 8 match, Kuldeep showed his crafty spin magic, bagging the wickets of Australian captain Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell and conceding 24 runs.

“When it comes to getting wickets at the right time, we know the power he has, but we have to use him when we need to. In New York there were seam-friendly wickets. He had to miss, but we knew he had a big advantage had.” role that needs to be played here,” the India captain said.

Reiterating his fearless batting mantra, Rohit said it was important for him to get offside also because of Australia’s plan to bowl into the wind. Indian captain Rohit came roaring out of the traps at the top of the order and made mincemeat of the Australian attack as he hit eight sixes and seven fours in a thrilling 92, narrowly missing a record-breaking century.

“That’s what I have to do, try to see what the bowlers are doing and play accordingly. They changed their plans and tried to bowl against the wind. I had to be smart, I just backed myself to do that,” Rohit said.

The 37-year-old said keeping an open mind would help in reaching all parts of the pitch and that it was a good wicket, and one has to try to back themselves to play those kind of shots.

“You have to understand that bowlers are smart, they don’t bowl against the wind. I thought about hitting everything possible. You have access to all sides of the field, that’s what I tried to do. It worked out .” I have been a good wicketkeeper, and you have to back yourself with good wickets. I’m glad it worked out today. I told you 50’s and 100’s don’t matter to me. You need to put pressure on the bowlers, and you need big scores. That’s why I tried to reach all sides of the field, not just one side,” Rohit said.

After finishing Super 8 Group 1 at the top of the table with six points in three matches, the Rohit Sharma-led team will face defending champions England in the semi-finals at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on June 27.

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