‘It was a very important innings’ – Rohit Sharma showers praises on Virat Kohli for his half century in the 2nd T20I against WI

Virat Kohli scored a crucial half-century for the Indian side in the 2nd T20I match against the West Indies. The 33-year-old batting legend scored a sedate 41-ball 52 against the ‘Men in Maroon’ and his innings was studded with 7 fours and a six.

And now, the skipper of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma has showered praises on Kohli. The ‘Hitman’ stated that Kohli played an important innings for the ‘Men in Blue’. Adding that Kohli took pressure off the other batters with the way he started his innings, Sharma stated that the way Kohli batted was pleasing to the eye.

“It was very important innings from Virat. The way he started off, took the pressure of me as well. We didn’t start well in the first two overs, then he came in and started playing those shots which was very pleasing to the eye,” said Rohit Sharma in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Virat Kohli’s half-century helps India beat the West Indies by 8 runs

Batting first, the Indian side posted a total of 186/5 on the board, with both Kohli and Rishabh Pant slamming half-centuries. Apart from Kohli and Pant, Venkatesh Iyer chipped in with a superb 18-ball 33 as well.

In reply, the West Indies came close, but in the end, could only manage to post a total of 178/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Even though Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell scored splendid half centuries, the ‘Men in Maroon’ fell short of the target set by the Indian side. For India, the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi picked up 1 wicket each.

Virat Kohli is now closing in on Martin Guptill to become the leading run-getter in T20I cricket. The Indian batting maestro has now amassed 3296 runs at an average of 51.50 in his T20I career and is just 3 runs short of Guptill’s run tally.