Follow UsIn a very curious case, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi held Rashid Khan back till the 15th over of India’s run-chase, even when Rohit Sharma was blazing in the pursuit of 273 runs. Rashid was used as the sixth bowling option when the match was virtually out of Afghanistan’s reach, with India batting on 125/0.
No one really had an iota of an idea why Shahidi opted for such a decision, and it seems like their coach, Jonathan Trott didn’t know it either.
“I didn't hold him back. I think, Yeah, I think it's just a case of - when Rash, I always want to feel like, certainly in that instance, you want to get him into the game as soon as possible,” Trott said in the post-match press conference.
“The captain obviously had a feel or a gut feeling that he wanted to go with, and that's the case. I think that's a captain's prerogative. And I think there is a case maybe when the ball gets a little bit older for Rash to bowl with it, and it gets a little bit more turn, it doesn't skid on as much. So, there's six of one, half a dozen of the other. But certainly, you want a guy like Rash in the attack as soon as possible. So, it's always something we'll look at.”
In the previous game in Delhi, between South Africa and Sri Lanka, a total of 754 runs were mustered, and that became the highest-ever total in an ODI World Cup match. From that parlance, Afghanistan really underperformed with the bat by posting just 272 runs on board.
“It was probably about a 350-360 wicket. I think would be par. I think also the way that Rohit played at the beginning made that made that certainly look like that was a case or maybe even more but you got to take your head off to the innings that he played in the start that he gave the Indian side. We need to take early wickets he nullified that effect and sort of took the game away a little bit and made it a walk in the park for them towards the end,” Trott added.
Trott stated that while Indian conditions are very close to the strengths that they have, it is imperative they focus on winning in conditions like England and Australia, where they need more variety in their bowling attack.
"I think it's to have a group of players, have a squad of players so in any conditions all around the world that we can be competitive and play in. These conditions certainly would suit us, but it's the next frontier is going to the likes of Australia or England and having players that can play in those types of additions, but also dominate, like we saw the Indian players dominate today.
"I think different variations with regards to spinners, we're quite spin focused, but I think having Navin back in our side boosts our seam attack, but certainly being able to have seam bowlers that can bowl all around the world in different conditions helps. There's lots of things to work on.
"I think our fielding has improved at times as well. I think one thing I'm very impressed with and a lot of credit goes to the guys - they're working incredibly hard in their fitness and their physique and their strength. It's a very fit side and they're very professional. When they're not at the ground training, they're in the gym, they're watching how they can get better. So, you know, hopefully we can get over the challenge over the next couple of games and we can register a win," the former England batter added.