India were ready to get bowled out for 100-150 to get a result: Rohit Sharma

After just 35 overs were possible on the first three days of the second Test in Kanpur, Indian captain Rohit Sharma said he was willing to take the risk of getting “bowled out for 100-150” to get a result. It looked like the second Test would end in a dull draw but after dismissing Bangladesh for 233 in the first innings, Indian batters came out all guns blazing and slammed 285/9 (decl) in just 34.4 overs. Bangladesh were then bowled out for 146 in their second innings and India got the required 95 runs in only 17.2 overs.

“Once we lost two and a half days, when we came on day four, we wanted to get them out as quickly as possible and see what we can do with the bat. It all depended on how many runs they got. When they got bowled out for 230, it wasn't about the runs we got but the overs we wanted to bowl at them. Which meant we had to try and up the run rate and score as many as possible,” said Rohit after India completed a whitewash on October 1 (Tuesday). 

“Pitch didn't have much for the bowlers. To make a game out of it on that pitch was a superb effort from the bowlers. And then the batters, obviously, with that mindset to buy into the thought of going and getting runs as quickly as possible. It was a risk we were willing to take because when you're trying to bat like that, you can be bundled out for a low score. But we were ready for it even if we got bowled out for 100-150. We wanted to give ourselves a chance to be in the game and get a result.”

Rohit also heaped heavy praise on Akash Deep. The right-arm seamer from Bangladesh featured in both Tests and picked up five wickets at an average of close to 20. “He's been good. Lot of domestic cricket he has played. When you come up through the ranks like that, there are a lot of overs in the legs. We know the guy can do the job the team is expecting. He has the quality and the skill. Good body as well - can bowl long spells and can bowl quick as well. 

“That's what the idea is. We want to create a bunch of bowlers who are ready to play. There's too much cricket happening and a lot of injuries and stuff like that. You have to make sure you prepare yourself and prepare your bench strength in a way that if someone is injured, you have someone to replace.”

Lastly, this was the first Test series India played under Gautam Gambhir’s coachmanship. Talking about the new management, Rohit said, “We all keep going. Obviously, at some stage, we had to start working with different personnel. When Rahul bhai said he was done being here - we had a fantastic time but life moves on. We all have to move on. Gautam Gambhir, I've played with him and know what sort of mindset he comes in with and allows players to go and play the way they want to play. Early days, but it's been a good start. We had to think a lot about how the game can keep moving forward.”

Yashasvi Jaiswal was named Player of the Match. The left-handed opener ended the series as the leading run-scorer, getting 189 runs at an average of 47.25. He scored three fifties in four innings. “I think I was just thinking what I can do for my team,” said Jaiswal. 

“The situation was different in Chennai and different here. I was just trying to do what I should do for my team and was trying my best. Every innings is important. I try my best and prepare in that manner. Rohit bhai told me to play the way I want to. We had a chat that we had to at least put some scores and we can play freely. Wanted to win this game and we were just going for it.”

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