Rohit Sharma happy to start 2011 with a match-winning knock
Rohit Sharma is in high spirits after starting 2011 with a match-winning half-century which earned India a 21-run win over South Africa in the solitary Twenty20 International at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
Rohit is now gearing up for the forthcoming One Day International series to cement his place in the final 15 for February’s World Cup.
Sharma, who was bought by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 Indians for an astounding sum of US$ 2 million in the Indian Premier League auction, blazed away with the bat to lift the tourists to a competitive total of 168 for 6. He scored a whirlwind 53 off just 34
balls laced with five muscular boundaries and two lofty sixes and was given the Man-of-the-Match award for his effort.
When asked whether the staggering contract with the Mumbai Indians was motivation behind the sparkling knock against the Proteas, Sharma replied promptly, “Not really. It was important to start on good note. It will be a challenging tournament.
It is a very good opportunity (for fix his place in the World Cup squad).”
The 23-year-old has an experience of playing in South African conditions and termed his familiarity as the key factor behind his levelheaded innings against the Proteas' on Sunday.
The visiting captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-c73820 also heaped praise on Sharma’s half-century at the top order. He also acknowledged the role of a second-string attack in the victory.
“Rohit batted well, the kind of start we needed. The score of 160-170 was good one here. The big advantage was the part-time bowlers. They become specialists in T20s. Spinners took advantage (of supportive track),” said Dhoni.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s favour.
“They got off to a good start and India bowled well. When Morne (van Wyk, 67 off 39) was going we thought we had a chance but we kept getting behind after that. We can't expect number eight and nine to get those runs,” said Botha.
It was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 fast bowler Makhaya Ntini’s last international appearance and he was lauded by the Indian players as well as Cricket South Africa officials and teammates for his contributions to the game. He was awarded with a memento
and a bowling machine for his academy by the CSA.
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