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Rohit Sharma : India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, emphasized the team’s aggressive and fearless approach after their dominant 3-0 series win against England. He credited the team’s freedom to play their natural game as a key factor in their success, stating that occasional setbacks are not a major concern for the management.
The hosts wrapped up the series with a commanding 142-run victory in the third and final ODI on Wednesday, marking a strong start to their preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma on India’s Playing Style
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma highlighted that the team has been encouraged to play with freedom, similar to their approach in the 2023 World Cup.
“The team has the liberty to play its own way. The World Cup (2023) is a perfect example of this. We want to continue with the same approach. There will be days when things don’t go as planned, but that’s okay,” Rohit stated.
Expressing satisfaction with the team's overall performance, he acknowledged the challenges they faced during the series.
“I am very happy with the way the series progressed. We knew we would encounter challenges, but we handled them well,” he added.
Looking ahead to the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19, Rohit stressed the need for continuous improvement.
“There are certain areas we are focusing on, but I won’t go into details here. Our goal is to maintain consistency in the team, and communication within the squad is clear,” the Indian captain affirmed.
Shubman Gill Reflects on His Performance
Shubman Gill, who was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, delivered a stellar performance in the final ODI, scoring a crucial 112. He described his century as one of his finest innings, given the initial assistance for fast bowlers on the pitch.
“I was feeling good out there. I think this was one of my better innings. The pitch was a bit tricky at the start, so scoring runs in those conditions was satisfying. There was some help for the fast bowlers early on,” Gill explained.
Shreyas Iyer on the Team’s Momentum
Shreyas Iyer emphasized that winning the series has provided the team with much-needed momentum heading into the Champions Trophy.
“There’s a lot of energy in the dressing room. Everyone is in great form and building rhythm for the Champions Trophy,” Iyer remarked.
He pointed out that the team’s success was a collective effort, with different players stepping up when needed.
“You could see in all three matches how every player took responsibility. Scoring crucial runs and taking wickets at the right moments was key. We’ve worked hard on this,” he added.
Having scored two half-centuries in the series, including a solid 78 in the final match, Iyer admitted he regretted missing out on a century.
“I wish I could have scored a hundred. In the first match, I wanted to set the rhythm for the team. I played each ball on its merit. In the second match, I got run out, which was disappointing. Today, I had the opportunity to capitalize after a strong start from Shubman and Rohit,” he said.
Jos Buttler Acknowledges India’s Superiority
England’s captain, Jos Buttler, conceded that his team was completely outplayed by India throughout the three-match series.
“We lost to a great team. Our approach was right, but we failed to execute it properly. India posted a formidable total, and Shubman played a fantastic innings,” Buttler admitted.
He also pointed out England’s recurring issue of failing to bat for longer periods, something they need to address moving forward.
“We started well again, but the same story repeated itself. We need to figure out a way to build long partnerships. India is a high-quality team that constantly challenges us,” he concluded.
India’s dominant performance in the series has set a strong foundation for their Champions Trophy campaign. With key players in excellent form and a clear strategy in place, the team looks poised for another strong showing on the global stage.
