Disappointed he might be with the stunning loss to Zimbabwe in the tour-ending second Twenty20 International but India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane insisted that his side performed “pretty well” during the short limited-overs cricket series.
India lost by 10 runs in the second T20 on Sunday to wrap up the tour with a tinge of disappointment after claiming the ODI series 3-0.
Chasing 146 for win, India were looking down the barrel at 69 for five in nine overs. Stuart Binny (24) and debutant Sanju Samson (19) played cameos, but the visitors still fell short at the Harare Sports Club.
“We are disappointed with this loss but you have to appreciate our boys as well. They have played some good cricket throughout the tour. In a T20 anything can happen,” Rahane said.
“We have to give credit to Zimbabwe because I feel they played really well today. Throughout the series they played well. But today their bowling and fielding were really up to the mark. They got two good run-outs and they took a couple of good catches,” he added.
Sikandar Raza, who took over captaincy after injury to regular skipper Elton Chigumbura, said he simply told his boys to end the losing streak.
“We were sick and tired of just competing against the better nations and losing in the end. Today was one of the days when we said, ‘This has to come to an end. It’s time we start winning’,” he said in the post-match press conference. “It was my team; the 10 other blokes on the park that did it for me. Everyone wanted to win. When there is so much energy and positive attitude around you, it is difficult not to fall in that place yourself,” he said.PTI
