WC 2015 IND vs AUS: ‘India haven’t won a single game against us all through the summer’

When someone asked if he reckons the contest to be 50-50, Glenn Maxwell had a tongue-in-cheek counter query, "What are the bookmakers saying?" (Photo: AFP)

Sydney: Dashing Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell said the Indian team should remember that it hasn't won a single game against his side this summer and the hosts intend to keep it that way in Thursday's ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal against the defending champions.

Check out: Here’s why Team India will win against Australia

Asked how difficult will it be for Australia to stop the unbeaten Indian juggernaut, Maxwell replied, "I think we targetted them pretty well this summer. They haven't won a game against us all through the summer. Hopefully that is pretty clear in their memories."

"We can make the most of that all win record. We've been dominant all summer in the ODI format. We want to continue that," he said.

But Maxwell did praise the Indian side for its consistency that helped it reach the last four stage. "India are a very good side. They wouldn't be here in the semifinals if they weren't a good side. We have to bring our A game when we play them this week," the IPL star said with a note of caution.

Read: India can win if they did these right!

Although the media interaction at the Sydney airport "felt like IPL" to Maxwell with only three Aussie reporters in the mix, he didn't feel that playing against Ashwin or Jadeja in the IPL would matter much as his role in this national team set-up is different.

"The IPL is a lot different to the World Cup. It is different pressure and different situation. I bat at No 6 (for Australia) and there are still five guys ahead of me, who are going to be batting first. Hopefully, they can make the most of the conditions. My job is to finish it off," Maxwell said.

When someone asked if he reckons the contest to be 50-50, Maxwell had a tongue-in-cheek counter query, "What are the bookmakers saying?"

Many past Aussie greats term the India versus Australia rivalry as the greatest in international cricket currently but for the maverick Maxwell, Ashes is still sacrosanct. "There are a lot of big rivalries in international cricket. Every team that we play against, there is like some sort of rivalry or history attached. For Australia, the Ashes, is still probably our biggest and oldest rivalry," he quipped.

Virat Kohli has tormented Australia but Maxwell believes that there won't be separate but a general gameplan for India which has been the case all summer. "We haven't had a team meet yet, but it will be pretty similar to the summer. We did pretty well during the summer against them. I am sure we will go ahead with similar plans and we will have a few tricks up our sleeve," he answered with a smile.

Maxwell couldn't stop raving about Australia's win on Friday as he felt it was a fantastic team effort. "It was an incredible win. The boys played outstanding cricket. To win it as comfortably as we did in the end, it gives us great confidence for the next game."

Shane Watson celebrates with teammate Glenn Maxwell after they defeated Pakistan by six wickets. (Photo: AP)

But was it as comfortable as it seemed, Maxwell answered, "It was a little bit uncomfortable at times. But I think when you look at the overall result with six wickets in hand and 90-odd balls left, it is a very comfortable win. We controlled the momentum of the game whole way through. There was an unbelievable spell from Wahab Riaz. Full credit to him as that was pretty incredible."

But Maxwell lauded all-rounder Shane Watson for the manner in which he tackled that hostile spell from Riaz. "Wahab is as good a bowler as you will face and he (Watson) got us through that tough period and made sure he set the platform for us to finish in the end," he said.

Wahab Riaz blows a kiss to Shane Watson. (Photo: AP)

For Maxwell, it was Watson's experience as well as his calmness that also helped him during their 68-run stand. "I think that sort of experience showed out there and that is what we needed. Just to be cool and have a calm head. He (Watson) has been out there and done that. He was just outstanding. Just to have him at the other end, especially when I was batting, it was a pleasure to watch," Maxwell added.

Watson was fined 15 per cent of his match fees for his altercation with Riaz but Maxwell felt that the all-rounder was not too bothered. "We came to know about it after getting off the plane. I guess he was too excited after winning the game to think about it," he said.

Maxwell's flat-batted hits have been a rage for some time and he believes it took a lot of practice. "I have practiced them. You spend most of your net sessions facing Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. So you have to find ways of avoiding them or even try to hit them as a matter of fact," Maxwell pointed out.

The Kings XI Punjab batsman is hopeful that the SCG strip will have a fair amount of grass for pace and bounce. "Hopefully we get a fast one. It has been a pretty good wicket this year and hopefully there is a bit of grass there as well," he added.

The cricketer also defended his team's scratchy batting performances during the tournament stating that only once did they get all-out this season (versus New Zealand). "We are still making big totals and I think we have only been bowled out once in this tournament. I don't think it is too much of a worry." 

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08:53

Australia expecting a very different India in World Cup semi-final

"I think they're obviously playing a lot better than they were throughout the start of the summer," Clarke told reporters in Adelaide.

Michael ClarkeAustralia skipper Michael Clarke expects to face a very different India in next week's World Cup semi-final from the team they hammered in a test series and beat comfortably in a one-day international in January.

Co-hosts Australia reached the last four with a six-wicket victory over Pakistan at Adelaide Oval on Friday to set up the meeting with the reigning champions at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) next Thursday.

India have won all seven matches on their way to the semi-finals and, with a bowling attack unrecognisable from the rabble who contested the test series, will be surging with confidence.

"I think they're obviously playing a lot better than they were throughout the start of the summer," Clarke told reporters in Adelaide.

"I said that leading into the World Cup, that I thought India were going to be an extremely tough team to beat obviously because they're a very good team but (also) because they've spent so much time in Australia they know the conditions quite well.

"The game on Thursday is going to certainly be a challenge, and we're definitely going to have to be at our best to beat them."

Australia lost their only pool match against their co-hosts in New Zealand and their familiarity with home conditions is a considerable advantage in their quest for a fifth world title.

India have been Down Under since November, though, and have been improving gradually under the guidance of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"I think MS Dhoni deserves a lot of credit the way he's been able to turn things around as the leader, as the captain," Clarke added.

"They're playing some really good cricket, there's no doubt about it. We look forward to that challenge. We've got some time now to recover and make sure we're fresh and then obviously train and prepare.

"Our attitude will be exactly the same as it was leading up to this game. Thursday becomes our World Cup final. We look forward to it."

If there was any perceived weakness in the Australia squad for the tournament it was the selection of Xavier Doherty as the frontline spinner.

While the SCG has a tradition for offering something for spin bowlers, Clarke said that was not always the case at his home ground and he was in any case "extremely satisfied" with his spinning options.

"I think Xavier has been a really good spinner for the Australian team over the last few years, so if the wicket does spin, I think the selectors have that option," he said.

"I think we've got spinning options, but we'll wait and see what the pitch is like."

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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08:52

ICC World Cup 2015, Quarter-Final, Highlights: All-Round New Zealand Thrash West Indies, Face South Africa in Semis

New Zealand curised into the semis of World Cup 2015 after a strong all-round show against West Indies. The 143-run win will boost the morale ahead of March 24 clash vs South Africa. Check all the highlights from the match here.

New Zealand registered a comprehensive performance against West Indies to book a spot in the semifinal of World Cup 2015. After Martin Guptill's 237*, Trent Boult claimed 4 for 44. (Scorecard | Photos | Videos |Full Coverage)

(All times in IST)

0115: No surprises as Martin Guptill is player of the match. "Work is left to be done, there is no need to get excited just yet," he says at the post-match ceremony.

0110: It's No. 1 vs No. 2 and No. 3 vs No. 4 in semis. The top four teams in ICC ODI rankings to face off in what promises to be two epic semifinal battles.

0108: All done! New Zealand are in semis. The Kiwis beat West Indies by 143 runs.

1257: Holder is in a zone of his own. The 23-year-old captain has taken his side into the quarters but with the exit door right in front, the bowler frees up his arms.

1252: Out! Taylor is the next West India batsman to fall. Southee gets his second. Kiwis can see the finish line and smell the semis.

Tim Southee celebrates the wicket of Jerome Taylor.

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1245: Out! Southee shares the spoils as Russell is clean bowled. Off-stump is uprooted. West Indies eight down.

1242: Holder and Russell getting some forearm exercise. Blade being swung wildly and the ball is repeatedly disappearing into the stands.

1238: Fair to assume it is a cakewalk from here for New Zealand?

The winner of today's match will face South Africa in the semis. New Zealand have defeated Proteas in three of their five previous ODI matches. This does not include their most recent match (October 27, 2014 in Hamilton) which was washed out.

1232: Out! Carter's brave fight ends after a 39-ball 32. Vettori gets a ball to sneak in and crash into the stumps.

1227: Out! Sammy steps out to Anderson but only gets a top-edge. West Indies 166/6.

Corey Anderson celebrates his wicket with New Zealand teammates.

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1215: West Indies refuse to fade away against the Wellington dusk. Jonathan Carter and Darren Sammy have hit some lusty blows to bring some joy to their fast-disappearing fans in the stands.

1208: Out! Milne strikes and it is the biggest wicket of the innings. Gayle inside-edges a pacey delivery and is bowled.

Chris Gayle walks back after being dismissed by New Zealand.

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1148: Fifty for Gayle! The Jamaican completes his 47th fifty off 26 balls.

1140: Gayle is playing his natural game despite the flurry of wickets. He slaps sixes at will to close in on his fifty.

Chris Gayle in action against New Zealand.

© Getty Images

1135: Out! Boult claims his fourth of the day and is on fire. He traps Ramdin LBW. West Indies 80/4.

1132: Out! Samuels falls to a stunning one-handed catch by Vettori at deep point boundary. Wellington erupts as the veteran cricketer showcases his calm fielding abilities in an exquisite catch.

1123: Gayle has taken the onus of making a match of this. He has dispatched Boult for two sixes as well. He is making no difference between how he treats pacers and spinners.

1117: Daniel Vettori into the attack and Gayle slams him for four sixes in an over. West Indies complete 50 runs in 7 overs.

1112: Out! Simmons (12) slams a four against Boult but the bowler has his revenge. An outside edge goes to Guptill in the slips. West Indies 27/2.

1109: Gayle opens his arms and slams a six and a four in the 5th over from Southee. Sign of things to come?

1105: Gayle is slow and steady - just as he always begins his innings. He is batting with Lendl Simmons at the other end.

1054: Out! There goes the first Windies wicket. Charles has been bowled by Trent Boult.

1045: Chris Gayle and Johnston Charles come out for the mammoth chase. They face Tim Southee.

1033: Guptill slams 24 fours and 11 sixes in his 237*. The devastation he wrecked is highlighted by the fact that he slammed 137 from the final 52 balls he faced.

1025: Guptill on his knock today: Feels great but job is only half done. Loving the home support here in Wellington.

1018: Guptill remains unbeaten on 237 and finishes as the second highest ODI scorer ever. New Zealand post 393/6 against West Indies.

A multiple exposure sequence of Martin Guptill of New Zealand hitting a six vs West Indies.

© Getty Images

1013: Out! Luke Ronchi falls to Taylor but West Indies players hardly celebrate. The action is at the other end.

1006: 200 for unstoppable Guptill! He becomes the first Kiwi to complete a double ton. Off goes the helmet, up go the hands and Guptill the great, enjoys every bit of the moment.

0957: Out! Elliott slams a couple of big shots but is eventually trapped LBW by Taylor. The review goes against him as well. New Zealand 333/5 (46.3 overs).

0952: Guptill into 190s. He surpasses his own best score of 189*- the highest by a Kiwi in ODIs.

0949: New Zealand closing in on the 300-run mark! Did you know? West Indies is the only Test-playing side to have never successfully chased a target in excess of 300. Their best is South Africa's 297/4 (February, 2004).

0942: Out! Anderson falls to a slower delivery from Russell. He scored 15.

0937: Big hitting from Guptill has almost reduced West Indies players to mere audiences - just that they aren't having a good time unlike most in the stands.

0934: Factoid - Martin Guptill now the only Kiwi batsman with two scores in excess of 150 in ODIs.

0932: Did you know? Guptill is the only batsman ever to score more than 150 in a World Cup knockout match. Adam Gilchrist's 149 against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final was the previous best.

0926: Guptill completes 150 off 134 balls!

0922: Corey Anderson is the new man at the crease.

0920: Out! Taylor is run-out. He was at the non-strikers end and dashed off for a single only to be sent back. Not in time though! He scored 42.

0914: Boundaries coming thick and fast as both Guptill and Taylor decimate West Indies attack.

0902: Even as Guptill steals the limelight, Taylor has eased into his 40s and is giving good support to his partner.

0856: In World Cup 2015, Guptill's strike rate has been good against seamers. While the lowest is around 56, the highest goes up to 116.

0850: Century for Guptill! That is his seventh overall and second consecutive ton. It took him just 111 balls to reach the milestone.

Martn Guptill celebrates his century against West Indies.

© Getty Images

0840: Kiwi fans are cheering on louder than they have ever before as Guptill is cruising towards the three-figure mark.

0830: Dropped early into the innings, Guptill has ensured that West Indies regret the blunder.

0815: Guptill and Taylor complete 50-run partnership off 55 balls.

0758: Fifty for Guptill! That's his 23rd in ODI cricket and took him 64 balls.

Martin Guptill celebrates after reaching his fifty vs West Indies.

© Getty Images

0746: Ross Taylor replaces Williamson.

0743: Out! Williamson is dismissed for 33. Russell bowls it short and wide, the ball looked as if it stopped on the batsman. He gives a simple catch to Gayle at short cover.

0733: Factoid - In the last World Cup Down Under (1992) - 93 sixes were hit in the entire tournament. That's one six every 220 balls.

In this edition, 400 sixes have already been struck! That's one every 57 balls.

0724: Andre Russell introduced into the attack. West Indies have used four bowlers inside first 14 overs.

0715: New Zealand 63/1 after 10 overs with Guptill (29*) leading the way. He has been in decent form this World Cup - 105, 57, 11, 22, 17 and 49 (from most recent to first match).

0708: Holder brings in Benn for his spin in the ninth over. That may well be a brave move as Guptill looks well set to dominate WI from here with sensible batting.

0703: Kane Williamson has joined Guptill in the middle. He has scored 183 runs from his six World Cup 2015 matches so far. With a best of 57, he would be looking for a big knock to help Kiwi fans recover from the shock of losing their captain early.

0655: Out! What a sensational catch from Holder. Running back after McCullum skies the ball, Windies captain completes a beautiful catch to remove his counterpart on 12.

Jason Holder celebrates after taking a running catch to remove Brendon McCullum.

© Getty Images

0645: Four and a six! McCullum targets Holder and smashes him in what was an expensive fourth over for Windies.

0634: Dropped! Guptill gets a lifeline in the first over. He looks to flick one down leg side but the shot goes low and straight to Samuels who spills it at square leg.

0630: McCullum and Guptill open for Kiwis. They will face Jerome Taylor.

0614: The pitch at Wellington is a good one for ODI and has just a little bit for the pacers. However, batsmen can expect to put up a total in the region of 300 which would be a challenge for the team batting second.

A view of the Westpac Stadium in Wellington before the start of New Zealand vs West Indies match.

© Getty Images

0605: Team news is that Adam Milne plays for Kiwis while Windies bring back Chris Gayle and Suleiman Benn.

New Zealand: Guptill, McCullum, Williamson, Taylor, Elliot, Anderson, Ronchi, Vettori, Milne, Southee and Boult.

West Indies: Gayle, Charles, Simmons, Samuels, Ramdin, Carter, Sammy, Russell, Holder, Taylor and Benn.

0603: Windies captain Jason Holder is not too disappointed having lost the toss. "It is fine. We will look to bowl to our strengths," he says.

0600: Toss! McCullum wins it and New Zealand will bat first at Wellington. "We have had a good few days of preparations and the players are ready for today's challenge," says McCullum.

Both teams have taken contrasting routes to reach the last eight stage with New Zealand winning all their six pool games and West Indies scraping through as the fourth placed team from Group B. An unpredictable West Indies need Gayle for the crucial knock-out game even as captain Jason Holder said a 'final call' on the dangerous opener will be taken not before match day morning. (Read Full Preview)

Will West Indies upset the Black Caps on Saturday?

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OVERALL

Played: 60

New Zealand wins: 23

West Indies wins: 30

Tied: 0

No result: 7

First meeting:

June 18, 1975 The Oval, London West Indies won by five wickets

Last five meetings:

July 16, 2012: Basseterre West Indies won by 20 runs

Dec 26, 2013: Auckland West Indies won by two wickets

Jan 01, 2014: Queenstown New Zealand won by 159 runs

Jan 04, 2014: Nelson New Zealand won by 58 runs (D/L)

Jan 07, 2014: Hamilton West Indies won by 203 runs

WORLD CUP

Played 6

New Zealand wins: 3

West Indies wins: 3

June 18, 1975: The Oval, London West Indies won by five wickets

June 16, 1979: Nottingham West Indies won by 32 runs

March 08, 1992: Auckland New Zealand won by five wickets

May 24, 1999: Southampton West Indies won by seven wickets

Feb 13, 2003: Port Elizabeth New Zealand won by 20 runs

March 29, 2007: North Sound New Zealand won by seven wickets

Brendon McCullum has been praised for the manner in which he has led New Zealand this World Cup.

© Getty Images

Key Men

New Zealand

Brendon McCullum

The fearless New Zealand captain holds the key to all aspects of the Black Caps' match blueprint.

He opens the batting with the firm belief he is there to score fast and ease pressure on those who follow. Proving the point, he hit the fastest World Cup half-century on his way to a rollicking 25-ball 77 against England.

His leaping and diving fielding exploits to save ones, twos and boundaries, regardless of any physical cost, has rubbed off on the rest of the New Zealand side, who pride themselves on being one of the sharpest fielding units around.

McCullum's support for his bowlers, setting aggressive fields and encouraging them to bowl to take wickets has led to three New Zealanders being among the tournament's top ten wicket-takers.

West Indies

Chris Gayle

The explosive Gayle can determine the outcome of match single-handedly if he gets away and his 215 against Zimbabwe in the pool phase is the highest individual innings at any World Cup.

With his long reach, excellent hand-eye co-ordination and ease playing both sides of the wicket, Gayle can be a bowler's nightmare although of late the left-hander's form has been inconsistent

He followed his double century with three against South Africa and 21 against India, suggesting to New Zealand he is due another big score again.

Although Gayle is suffering from a long-term back injury, he is expected to play.

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05:00

Misbah backs India to beat Australia

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Misbah-ul-HaqPakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq believes India will start as favourites in Thursday's World Cup semi-final against Australia because of spin-friendly conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Misbah, whose side lost to Australia by six wickets in a quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, said the tournament co-hosts will rue being without a quality spinner in their last four clash.

"Playing in Sydney they will miss a good spinner," said the 40-year-old Misbah, whose one-day international career ended after Friday's defeat by Australia.

"That could be the difference, because spinners have had a lot of success in Sydney and Imran Tahirdid well the other day. So that could be a problem for Australia.

"They might just be in trouble there, although it will be a tough game because both sides are playing good cricket."

Leg-spinner Tahir collected four for 26 and fellow slow bowler JP Duminy took three for 29, including a hat-trick, as South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for just 133 to win Wednesday's quarter-final at the SCG by nine wickets.

But the bat dominated the ball in previous World Cup games at the venue, with Australia piling up 376 for nine against Sri Lanka and South Africa smashing 408 for five off the West Indies' attack.

Defending champions India have been on a roll with seven straight wins, defying the form book after going through a winless Test and ODI tour of Australia prior to the tournament.

Australia captain Michael Clarke conceded playing India in a semi-final would be a challenge, but disagreed with Misbah that spin would be the crucial factor at the SCG.

"I don't think a ball spun in our game against Sri Lanka," Clarke said. "It will all depend on what type of wicket gets prepared. If there is a bit of grass on it, that will certainly help our fast bowlers.

"If it does spin, we've got spinning options in our squad, so I'm sure the selectors will assess that once we get to the SCG and work out what they think is the best 11," the Sydney native added.

Clarke said Australia had the option of picking left-armer Xavier Doherty to bowl in tandem with Glenn Maxwell if conditions favoured spin -- with the captain himself and Steven Smith ready to chip in.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has relied on off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, who has 12 wickets in the tournament, as his spin spearhead with Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina and even Rohit Sharma providing back-up.

Australia have won eight of their last nine completed one-day internationals at the SCG, but Clarke was wary of a rejuvenated India team .

"India are a completely different opposition to Pakistan," he said. "They have different strengths and different weaknesses as well.

"They are obviously playing a lot better than they were throughout the start of the (Australian) summer. I said leading into the World Cup that I thought India were going to be an extremely tough team to beat.

"They are a very good team and because they have spent so much time in Australia, they know the conditions quite well. The game on Thursday is going to certainly be a challenge.

"We definitely have to be at our best to beat them. We look forward to that challenge.

Our attitude will be exactly the same as it was leading up to the knockout rounds.

"Thursday becomes our World Cup final. We look forward to it."

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04:51

Yuvraj Singh backs Indian cricket team to retain the World Cup

Yuvraj Singh backs India to retain the World Cup

Former Indian cricket team all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has backed the current Indian team to retain the Cricket World Cup title and urged the side to save their best cricket for the knockout stages. The 2011 Player of the tournament feels that the Men in Blue can retain the title this year, even though they are not as experienced as the team that won the last World cup. The defending World Champions have already cemented their place in the Quarterfinals and are most likely to meet the rejuvenated Bangladesh from Group A. 

“India has a very good chance. They have started very well and they need to sustain the momentum. But Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are also the firm favourites,” said Yuvraj, who is set to play for the MCC in the Emirates T20 tournament in Dubai on March 20.

“I think the 2011 side was more experienced than this one. We had likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh. This side is young but they have it in them to cross the finish line.” he said. 

Kohli is a special player: Yuvraj

Showering praises on Virat Kohli, Yuvraj said that he is a special player and a consistent performer of the bat and urged the team not to lose focus, as the performances in the knockout stages are that only matter now. 

“Virat is a special player and it’s hard to find anyone as consistent as him. Scoring 22 hundreds by the age of 26 is a phenomenal achievement. He is the ultimate run-machine and can handle pressure so well,” Yuvraj added.

“Play positive and reserve your best for the knockout stages. Everyone knows that three good days can win you the World Cup,” he said.

Yuvraj Singh Center of Excellence

Yuvraj is set to play for MCC alongside England captain Alastair Cook in the Emirates T20 tournament in Dubai, he said,

“I am really looking forward to do my best in this tournament. For so many years MCC has been the custodian of the game. They do their best to promote the game at every level. As a cricketer, I want join hands with them.”

“I have started an initiative called the Yuvraj Singh Center of Excellence which works at the grass root level. At some stage I would like to work with MCC for these kids from rural parts of India.”

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20:41

Pleased with opening partnerships with Shikhar Dhawan in the World Cup: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

India’s 2013 Champions Trophy win will be remembered for several reasons. One among those would undoubtedly be the opening combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who provided excellent starts in almost all the games and laid the foundation for the rest of the batsmen to carry forward their good work.

The tournament was particularly fruitful for Rohit who had come into the tournament after having a disastrous time in 2012, having scored 168 runs in 14 matches at an average of 12.92. But a promotion to the top of the order proved to be a huge turning point in his career and he hasn't looked back since then.

“It has been a great journey for me and Shikhar since the time we have started opening together,” Rohit said in an interview to bcci.tv.

“We, as openers, have a responsibility of laying the perfect platform for the middle order to come and bat the way they want to. I am glad we have been able to give the starts that the team wants from us thus far and it is important that we continue this phase in the coming games.

“We both have good memories of the ICC Champions Trophy as well. We did have a rough patch in between but we knew we could always strike back,” he added.

The 27-year-old put on 174 runs with Dhawan for the opening wicket against Ireland in Hamilton on Tuesday, which is the highest opening wicket stand for India in World Cup cricket. Talking about the approach adopted by them while chasing the target of 260, the Mumbaikar said that they were looking to play according to the merit of the ball and admitted that once you get set, it becomes easier to score runs on the smaller New Zealand grounds.

“The wicket was such that you had to spend some time in the middle and then go for your shots. In New Zealand if you get in and play yourself for some time you can make the most of it.

“The initial five to six overs were really crucial and with the two new balls it does a little bit, especially in these conditions.

“It was important for us to see off that new ball and be positive as well. Today we were positive right from ball one. The deliveries which were there to be hit were given the treatment and we got the best out of it. New Zealand is a high scoring place and you have to bide your time in the middle and runs will come,” he said.

When he was asked about India’s unbeaten run in the tournament so far, the opener said that a collective effort from all the members has helped them register five wins on the trot in the tournament.

“This tournament is such that momentum plays a huge part. When you come into such tournaments with such a winning momentum, it brings out the best from each individual in the side. The highlight of our wins has been the fact that it has not been just one individual who has taken us through those victories. Almost everyone has contributed towards the team’s success which shows in our results. We are well placed at the moment and it is a good position to be in,” Rohit said.

Disappointed to have not got a big score: Rohit 

Talking about his own knock of 64 off 66 balls, Rohit felt he was middling the ball really well and was even more gutted, as a result, to have not gone on to get a big score.

“I have played here and I have good memories of Seddon Park.The shots were coming off well and I felt really good. I was sticking to my game plan. I had decided that there would be certain shots that I would play and a few that I would cut down on. I did that initially and once I reached a position where I felt I could go for my shots I began playing them,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I got out at the wrong time and I should have converted my start into a big one. But these things happen and it won’t affect me in the future,” he added.

The right-hander also praised the way the Ireland batted at the start of their innings and credited the spinning duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for bringing the defending champions back into the game.

“Ireland got off to a good start and played the initial hour very well. It wasn’t easy to play those shots that they played early in the innings. Credit to the Ireland batsmen for the way they started.

“But R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja pulled it back and there were a few crucial overs bowled by Suresh Raina as well that helped us keep the run-scoring under check. To come and control the innings at the stage was really important and if we hadn’t done that, who knows we would have been chasing 300. Bowling well in those middle overs was important and it was backed up by good fielding,” Rohit said.

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20:37