'That Run-Out Changed The Momentum': Shubman Gill Hails Rohit Sharma's Fielding Brilliance

Rohit Sharma may have registered a six-ball duck but he had already left a lasting impact in the first ODI between India and New Zealand that was impacted by multiple rain-forced delays in Auckland on Wednesday. Chasing 186, India’s target was revised to 167 runs from 40 overs and then to 143 runs from 32 overs.

India, powered by Virat Kohli’s strokeful 51-ball 74 chased down the total in 22.4 overs for a five-wicket win to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Later on, India captain Shubman Gill credited his side’s collective bowling and fielding effort while singling out Rohit‘s athletic run-out of Daryl Mitchell as the turning point in the series opener.

“I think we were very good with the bowling. And I think our fielding was also really good. That

run-out by Rohit bhai, I think changed the momentum of the game. I think it was really that partnership (between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips), we saw that even in India – those two batted really well in India. And overall, I think a very good team performance for us,” Gill said.

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Gill was also impressed with the performances of Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar, who made life difficult for New Zealand’s batters with their pace and ability to exploit the conditions at Eden Park.

Kamboj returned figures of 2/22 from 10 overs, while Brar claimed 3/44 in 9.2 overs.

Gill felt Kamboj’s ability to generate seam movement, particularly with the old ball, made him well suited to conditions in Auckland.

“I mean Anshul is the kind of a bowler, I think he’s tailor-made for these kind of conditions, always nippy, trying to seam the ball. And good with the old ball. We felt when there’s not much happening from the wicket, he (Brar) can create that extra bounce and with his pace and the way both of them bowled tonight was really magnificent to watch,” Gill said.

Rain Interruptions Proved Challenging

Gill admitted that the repeated rain interruptions made India’s chase challenging, particularly for batters who had already settled at the crease.

India began their pursuit of 186 but two separate rain interruptions resulted in revisions under the DLS method.

After Rohit’s early exit, Gill and Kohli rebuilt the chase with a big second-wicket partnership.

Kohli scored 74, while Gill contributed 37, with their 114-run stand putting India firmly in control.

Gill says the conditions changed after the rain, with the surface becoming quicker and offering more assistance to the seamers.

“I mean it’s never easy when you are set and then it rains and the wicket got a little bit quick, it got a little bit more nippy after the rain. So the target reduced. So we were just trying to play our normal cricket. And I think the way Virat bhai batted, it made things a lot more easy for us,” Gill said.

The second ODI will be played in Wellington on Saturday.