‘Wanted someone like that’ - Rohit Sharma acknowledges Rinku Singh's valuable contribution in third T20I against Afghanistan

India were 22/4 when Rinku Singh came out to bat in the third T20I against Afghanistan at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Fareed Ahmad picked up three wickets and was looking dangerous, but that didn't stop Rohit and Rinku from stitching an unbroken 190-run partnership for the fifth wicket as the Men in Blue posted 212 runs on the board.

The India skipper went on to play a ruthless knock as he finished on 121* runs off just 69 deliveries. Rinku, on the other hand, supported him well, smacking 69* runs off 39 balls. Following which, Rohit lauded the youngster and stated that Rinku remains calm on the pitch and is aware of his strengths, which is a massive positive. The 36-year-old also added that he wanted someone like Rinku, who can take control of the situation but by not compromising on intent.

“Creating the partnership was important and we (Rinku and I) kept talking to each other to not lose that intent in big games and it was a good game for us to be in, the pressure was there and was important to bat long and deep and not compromise on the intent we want to show. The last couple of series that he played, he showed what he can do with the bat,” Rohit was quoted as saying by NDTV.

“Very calm and knows his strength pretty well. He is coming of age and doing what is expected of him and he has done well for India. It augurs well for the team moving forward, wanted someone like that at the backend and we know what he has done in the IPL and he has carried that to the Indian colours as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan matched India’s 212 runs in the second innings as the match went on to Super Over. Interestingly, the first Super Over ended on level terms as well, while the Men in Blue secured a comfortable win in the second one. With that, India secured the T20I series 3-0.