Justcrazy
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Rahul one short of hundred here
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Contact the PP Team
India [265/3] beat Sri Lanka [264/7] by 7 wickets in their final group stage match of 2019 World Cup
- Thread starter MenInG
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Kianig89
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Hundred and mrs kohli applauded
desi_launda
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Just finish this already
Iamcoolwhiz
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Good work Rahul... Should do a world of good to his confidence.
How has it worked? No one takes these t20's seriously and they are different formats.
Others should move for the team's best batsman, team's best batsman shouldn't move around for others.
Anchorman
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Your best batsmen should always get the opportunity to face the most balls. By that principle, Kohli should stick to #3 and it should be a no-brainer. The man has made that position his own and is literally in contention of being the GOAT ODI batsman by the time he hangs up his boots.
jnaveen1980
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Rahul in T20 mode. This is why he is a dangerous batsman.
jnaveen1980
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Weirdest way to get out lol Stump height bouncer caught the gloves
Mueez
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What a ridiculous way to get out 
Anyways good innings.
Anyways good innings.
Iamcoolwhiz
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I will miss malinga. He was a beast in his Prime.
fitCricFan
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Yes, some of those yorkers were insane.
TNAmarkFromIndia
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He scored a 54-ball century at No. 3 against England with Kohli at 4. Rahul can potentially be as important to the ODI unit as Sharma and Dhawan but he's less adaptable to the No. 4 slot than Kohli is who is capable of being a finisher.
jnaveen1980
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Pant has to control rush of blood. Much better player than that.
That was 1 game, the other 2 he failed badly.
LongtimeLurk3r
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Hattip to Malinga-one of the best LOI bowlers ever. His last ball of a WC gets tonked for a boundary.
He did overtake Akram in terms of wickets taken in a WC.
He did overtake Akram in terms of wickets taken in a WC.
bluevision
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DK should be replaced with an all rounder in the knock outs but not Jadhav. We are a bowler short.
And where do we get one of those? We had 2, one plays all games the other has been ruled out.
LongtimeLurk3r
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Dominating performance. Wish Pant had finished it off though with Kohli. Would have given him some confidence.
TNAmarkFromIndia
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And Kohli showed that batting at 4 didn't affect him.
1 out of 3 odds are worth it. You give him confidence and he could turn out to be really good just like Sharma did.
bluevision
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Yeah, my be a proper full time time bowler than. Pandya has been punching above his weight with bowl so far.
He will most likely will be opening in a few months given how dhawan performs in bilaterals. We need a no 4, the management needs to actually start doing their work and start giving youngsters a chance otherwise we will be in a similar situation with a bad batting lineup but for 1 or 2 good batsmen.
Glad he scored today. Would have given him a lot of confidence
They will play without their best players as they rested Kohli in the last one
jnaveen1980
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You cannot do that in bowling. "Punching above the weight". He has clever variations. He only lacks accuracy.
bluevision
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So you trust we are good to go with the same XI in the KO? I somehow still feel, we are a bowler short, especially against the English.
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Marathonrunner
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Thanks Mate
The Viper
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He may possess one of the most unconventional actions in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 - but Jasprit Bumrah proved yet again on Saturday why he is also one of the most effective bowlers in the competition.
In the same way that fellow title hopefuls Australia rely on Mitchell Starc and New Zealand have complete faith in Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, the dynamic Bumrah is India’s ‘go-to’ quickie.
When the chips are down, skipper Virat Kohli knows he can simply toss the ball to the 25-year-old from Ahmedabad and more often than not he will wrest back control of a match.
It was largely down to Bumrah and the recalled Ravindra Jadeja that India were able to restrict Sri Lanka to 264/7 at Headingley, a target India knocked off with seven wickets and 39 balls to spare thanks to centuries from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul as they wrapped up the group stage in dazzling style.
"We wanted to play good cricket but we didn't expect to do this well heading in to the semi-finals,” said Kohli after India made it seven victories from nine matches. “That's what hard work gets you.
“I am really proud of this team, they are amazing people. More or less everything is set for the semis but we don't want to be one-dimensional. We need balance in the side. If we play well we can beat anyone, if we don't play well anyone can beat us.”
While Bhuvneshwar Kumar was being plundered for 10 runs an over in the early going, Sri Lanka’s batsmen found it impossible to get on top of his opening partner Bumrah at the other end.
Dimuth Karunaratne was his first victim of the day, slashing a wide one to MS Dhoni behind the stumps to provide Bumrah with the 100th ODI wicket of his career.
The Indian fast bowler became the second fastest to reach the milestone for his country, having accomplished the feat in 57 innings. Only Mohammed Shami (56) has gone to his century quicker.
Bumrah, steaming in with his unorthodox stuttering run up, was on fire and he soon followed up by forcing Karunaratne’s fellow opener Kusal Perera to snick another catch to Dhoni.
Perera had been lucky to escape moments earlier when he lofted Bumrah into the deep. Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav almost collided as they tried to get under the ball and the latter was unable to hang on when he finally got his hands to it.
Bumrah also trapped Avishka Fernando lbw for a duck before the umpire’s decision was overturned on review.
The Indian paceman has the ability to tie batsmen down for lengthy spells, frustrating them to such an extent they are often forced into a false shot that can bring about their downfall.
The skilful Bumrah bowls a lethal yorker but, used as a shock weapon, he can also deliver a mean 90mph bouncer of the sort that smacked square into the grille of Lahiru Thirimanne’s helmet.
After claiming 2/14 in his opening burst of four overs, Kohli decided to give his linchpin a rest and, without Bumrah in the attack, Angelo Mathews was able to repair the early damage for Sri Lanka with a century partnership alongside Thirimanne (53).
Mathews clearly has a fondness for Indian bowlers because he started slowly before moving smartly through the gears to chalk up his third century in ODIs, all coming against the same opposition.
It was almost written in the stars that his innings would eventually be ended by Bumrah, and so it proved as the paceman returned to the attack in the closing overs to remove Mathews.
Bumrah’s 17th wicket of the tournament, only Starc (26) and Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh (20) have bagged more, helped him finish with excellent figures of 3/37 from his 10 overs.
Jadeja, one of two changes to the side, also picked up 1/40 in his first appearance at this World Cup.
The talented all-rounder is a special favourite of the Indian fans and they responded with huge cheers when his name was read out on the team sheet before the start.
Jadeja’s miserly bowling and his effervescent performance in the field has now put him in a strong position to keep his place in the team for next week’s semi-final.
Sri Lanka’s total appeared competitive enough, on only one previous occasion has a team successfully chased down a bigger target in the competition, but the indefatigable Sharma and his opening partner Rahul had other ideas.
The pair gave the crowd a late-afternoon treat in the summer sunshine with a masterly exhibition of strokeplay. Pouncing ruthlessly on anything loose, the two Indians cut and drove their side into a commanding position with a stand of 189.
Sharma continued his astonishing sequence of 2019 World Cup scores by notching a record sixth century with a venomous pull for four off Kasun Rajitha.
Only he and compatriot Sachin Tendulkar have amassed half a dozen World Cup tons but, while
Tendulkar’s tally came in 44 innings, Sharma has needed just 16 to reach the landmark.
In eight visits to the crease in this tournament, Sharma has gone 122 not out, 57, 140, 1, 18, 102, 104 and now 103.
By the time Rahul steered paceman Lasith Malinga for a single behind square to reach his century, victory was all but assured for India.
Sri Lanka legend Malinga proved expensive on his farewell World Cup appearance, conceding 82 runs in his 10 overs, but Sharma heaped praise on the paceman.
"Lasith is a champion,” said the record-breaking opener. “He is a match-winner and he has shown it over the years. The world of cricket will miss him.”
In the same way that fellow title hopefuls Australia rely on Mitchell Starc and New Zealand have complete faith in Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, the dynamic Bumrah is India’s ‘go-to’ quickie.
When the chips are down, skipper Virat Kohli knows he can simply toss the ball to the 25-year-old from Ahmedabad and more often than not he will wrest back control of a match.
It was largely down to Bumrah and the recalled Ravindra Jadeja that India were able to restrict Sri Lanka to 264/7 at Headingley, a target India knocked off with seven wickets and 39 balls to spare thanks to centuries from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul as they wrapped up the group stage in dazzling style.
"We wanted to play good cricket but we didn't expect to do this well heading in to the semi-finals,” said Kohli after India made it seven victories from nine matches. “That's what hard work gets you.
“I am really proud of this team, they are amazing people. More or less everything is set for the semis but we don't want to be one-dimensional. We need balance in the side. If we play well we can beat anyone, if we don't play well anyone can beat us.”
While Bhuvneshwar Kumar was being plundered for 10 runs an over in the early going, Sri Lanka’s batsmen found it impossible to get on top of his opening partner Bumrah at the other end.
Dimuth Karunaratne was his first victim of the day, slashing a wide one to MS Dhoni behind the stumps to provide Bumrah with the 100th ODI wicket of his career.
The Indian fast bowler became the second fastest to reach the milestone for his country, having accomplished the feat in 57 innings. Only Mohammed Shami (56) has gone to his century quicker.
Bumrah, steaming in with his unorthodox stuttering run up, was on fire and he soon followed up by forcing Karunaratne’s fellow opener Kusal Perera to snick another catch to Dhoni.
Perera had been lucky to escape moments earlier when he lofted Bumrah into the deep. Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav almost collided as they tried to get under the ball and the latter was unable to hang on when he finally got his hands to it.
Bumrah also trapped Avishka Fernando lbw for a duck before the umpire’s decision was overturned on review.
The Indian paceman has the ability to tie batsmen down for lengthy spells, frustrating them to such an extent they are often forced into a false shot that can bring about their downfall.
The skilful Bumrah bowls a lethal yorker but, used as a shock weapon, he can also deliver a mean 90mph bouncer of the sort that smacked square into the grille of Lahiru Thirimanne’s helmet.
After claiming 2/14 in his opening burst of four overs, Kohli decided to give his linchpin a rest and, without Bumrah in the attack, Angelo Mathews was able to repair the early damage for Sri Lanka with a century partnership alongside Thirimanne (53).
Mathews clearly has a fondness for Indian bowlers because he started slowly before moving smartly through the gears to chalk up his third century in ODIs, all coming against the same opposition.
It was almost written in the stars that his innings would eventually be ended by Bumrah, and so it proved as the paceman returned to the attack in the closing overs to remove Mathews.
Bumrah’s 17th wicket of the tournament, only Starc (26) and Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh (20) have bagged more, helped him finish with excellent figures of 3/37 from his 10 overs.
Jadeja, one of two changes to the side, also picked up 1/40 in his first appearance at this World Cup.
The talented all-rounder is a special favourite of the Indian fans and they responded with huge cheers when his name was read out on the team sheet before the start.
Jadeja’s miserly bowling and his effervescent performance in the field has now put him in a strong position to keep his place in the team for next week’s semi-final.
Sri Lanka’s total appeared competitive enough, on only one previous occasion has a team successfully chased down a bigger target in the competition, but the indefatigable Sharma and his opening partner Rahul had other ideas.
The pair gave the crowd a late-afternoon treat in the summer sunshine with a masterly exhibition of strokeplay. Pouncing ruthlessly on anything loose, the two Indians cut and drove their side into a commanding position with a stand of 189.
Sharma continued his astonishing sequence of 2019 World Cup scores by notching a record sixth century with a venomous pull for four off Kasun Rajitha.
Only he and compatriot Sachin Tendulkar have amassed half a dozen World Cup tons but, while
Tendulkar’s tally came in 44 innings, Sharma has needed just 16 to reach the landmark.
In eight visits to the crease in this tournament, Sharma has gone 122 not out, 57, 140, 1, 18, 102, 104 and now 103.
By the time Rahul steered paceman Lasith Malinga for a single behind square to reach his century, victory was all but assured for India.
Sri Lanka legend Malinga proved expensive on his farewell World Cup appearance, conceding 82 runs in his 10 overs, but Sharma heaped praise on the paceman.
"Lasith is a champion,” said the record-breaking opener. “He is a match-winner and he has shown it over the years. The world of cricket will miss him.”
TNAmarkFromIndia
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Dhawan average 49.83 at a strike rate of 102.28 in 2018.
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6 July - Leeds - India player Rohit Sharma post-match press conference
Q. You were 26 runs away from the Tendulkar's total record. But you have mentioned that you're not bothering or you are not looking up to the records and all these things. These things, the five centuries and 26 runs away from Tendulkar's record, you have not paid any attention at all?
ROHIT SHARMA: 26, I don't know, what?
Q. His total runs in one World Cup in 2003.
ROHIT SHARMA: Oh, okay. No, no, see, I'm not here for records. I'm here to play cricket. I'm here to play and score runs and lift the cup. That is what I'm here for. I'm not looking at all those things at all, honestly.
Q. 2011, you were not there in the World Cup when we won the cup. Do you think that is also motivating you?
ROHIT SHARMA: It's been eight years now. I'm moved past that. It was disappointing in 2011, but it's been eight years now since that has happened. So I'm very fortunate that I'm in this position right now. So, yeah, I'm not thinking about what has happened in the past. I've been telling, at the post match as well, I just want to stay in present because we are here for a mission and that mission is not yet completed.
Q. Yuvraj Singh had said that before the IPL you met him and you apparently told him runs are not coming; I'm striking but it's not coming. And he told you that, Rohit, don't worry. So what was that phase you were going through? And apart from that chat, anything that stands out? Apparently you told Yuvraj that the cycle of runs were not coming --
ROHIT SHARMA: (Not in English). I was not getting big runs. So we were just -- I mean, he's like a big brother to me. So we always talk about the game, about life. So he said when it matters you will do it. I guess probably he was talking about the World Cup, I think. So IPL, we were having a good chat around the game, basically. So because he was in a similar phase in 2011 before the World Cup, was not getting enough, like, not getting enough runs. So what he told me was to just be in good space. And that's what he did, that's why he was so successful at that World Cup. So that is the chat we had.
Q. The post match presentation you were saying that you set off thinking that you've not played any one-days. You've not got any centuries. How hard is it to do? It's easier said than done. How difficult is it?
ROHIT SHARMA: It is very difficult. Trust me because you're in that fraternity where you meet so many people. They will talk about how well you're batting, how many runs you're getting, how many hundreds you've scored. But to just keep away from all that is very important. And I'm trying to do that. Fortunate that we have a bunch of guys around us who do not discuss these kind of things too much, about personal milestones. And my family is here to distract me from that. So those are the things that are keeping me away from staying in the past, because I think -- and I totally believe that staying in the past is not so important than staying in the present. So I'm trying to do that. That's what I meant when I said that in the post match, that I don't want to think about how many ODI's I've played or how many runs I've scored or how many hundreds I've got. I just want to stay in present, which is today, and take it from there, because every day in cricket is fresh, because you kind of don't want to remember what has happened in the past. The past is for you guys to talk about and make things a little interesting. But for us it's just staying in the present because it's our duty, it's our job just to come out fresh and get the job done again on the first day.
Q. So, you're not checking your in-boxes?
ROHIT SHARMA: Not really. Like, WhatsApp messages I will because of my family members and close friends, I do that. But not on the game, the next day, when I'm traveling on the bus.
Q. Distractions, like Virat has also said, you've also said that it doesn't matter what's said outside, it's what in the changing room and what you people think. But do you think sometimes maybe -- what do you tell people who might get agitated by what's being said outside and they might react? Ravindra -- I'm not taking his name -- like what is your advice (laughter).
ROHIT SHARMA: Not taking his name -- you are using his name.
Q. It's not direct -- what do you say, they might get -- someone might get affected, might get hurt?
ROHIT SHARMA: See, that's the challenge for the sportsman. All this distraction will happen, but every individual is different, and it depends on how he wants to think about that particular incident or situation. For me, like I said just now, I want to stay away from all of that and enjoy the beautiful weather in England. I have my family here as well. So I'm trying to do, most of the time I'm trying to do that rather than all those talks going around and things like that. Because as long as you're playing that will happen. And we have to have a logistic manager because a lot of people are staying in the same hotel as us who want us to win the World Cup, who want us to score runs, score centuries. So you kind of want to stay away from all of that because eventually our job is to do that, our job is to come here, play good cricket and win the World Cup, we all know that. But constantly yapping in anyone's ear is not right. So I think for us as cricketers, it's important for us to just stay completely put that away and focus on the job at hand.
Q. Is this the biggest highlight of your career, five hundreds in the World Cup? And you also achieved several in One-Day cricket -- double hundreds, you scored a few times. So would you rate this feat of five hundreds as the biggest of your --
ROHIT SHARMA: No, not yet. If we win the World Cup then probably I would. If not, then I can't, because eventually winning the cup -- winning the game is important, no matter how many runs you score or how many wickets you take. For us, as cricketers, it's important to get the job done, because we all have been looking for this World Cup, which comes four years. You have to wait four years for this. Eventually the job for us is to go and win the finals, the semifinals before that, yes. But as long as that is not accomplished, no matter how many runs you score in the tournament or how many hundreds you get, you won't feel satisfied.
Q. From the context of going into the semifinal, how significant was it to chase and win? You haven't won chasing since the South Africa game. How significant was it, the chase and the manner in which you chased it down?
ROHIT SHARMA: I think it was important because we want to cover all our bases, tick all the boxes before the semis come. Basically it's a knockout for us, so we wouldn't be able to afford mistakes on that particular day, a lot of mistakes. So ticking boxes was very, very important. I think we batted well when we were put in. We scored a good amount of runs. Yes, after that South Africa game, this was a second chase we were in. So we wanted to make sure that we do it nice and clean. And, yes, so before the semifinal comes, we wanted to make sure that the boxes are ticked and we're good to go for the semis.
Q. You're known to score big daddy hundreds in ODIs. But in these five hundreds -- after initially scoring a hundred, you had a soft dismissal and you could see the frustration in you. Does it worry you at any level?
ROHIT SHARMA: No, not at all. Personally I was disappointed because after a hundred, I've said it many times, you can't -- bowlers can really get you out; it's your mistake that can cost you your wicket at that point. So I was disappointed with that, the three hundred, the last three hundreds I got, I couldn't go on to bat as deep as I could. But I would take that hundred. And the only reason I say that is because eventually we won the game, except one against England which I think we came pretty close as well. We lost by 25 runs, I think. But, yes, my aim and goal is always to bat as deep as I can, because after a hundred, it's your mistake that can cost you your wicket. That is what I have felt always. And, yeah, little disappointed with that, but I'll make sure if, come the semis, if I'm in that situation I wouldn't just let it go like that.
Q. Just wanting -- I know you say that you live in the present, but when the World Cup started, basically what did you tell yourself about approaching this? How do you approach it? What was it that you told yourself before starting off the campaign?
ROHIT SHARMA: I just wanted to be in good space before the start of the World Cup. And I think which I was in, because this year's World Cup was, we all know, it was a different format, 11 games before -- 10 games before you play the finals. So it's a long tournament, a long format. And then the conditions here really matter a lot.
So all those things put together, I personally wanted to be in good space, which I think I did pretty well. As soon as the game got away, I left everything behind and started focusing on the new day, which I think really helped me moving forward. And it did work here, but I don't know if it's going to work in the future as well, because every tournament is different. Every series you play is different. But here it is working for me. And that is what I was thinking before the start of the tournament, that I'll try and be in good space, good space is by doing so many things. That is very personal. So I tried doing all of those things, which I think help and worked for me.
Q. You were 26 runs away from the Tendulkar's total record. But you have mentioned that you're not bothering or you are not looking up to the records and all these things. These things, the five centuries and 26 runs away from Tendulkar's record, you have not paid any attention at all?
ROHIT SHARMA: 26, I don't know, what?
Q. His total runs in one World Cup in 2003.
ROHIT SHARMA: Oh, okay. No, no, see, I'm not here for records. I'm here to play cricket. I'm here to play and score runs and lift the cup. That is what I'm here for. I'm not looking at all those things at all, honestly.
Q. 2011, you were not there in the World Cup when we won the cup. Do you think that is also motivating you?
ROHIT SHARMA: It's been eight years now. I'm moved past that. It was disappointing in 2011, but it's been eight years now since that has happened. So I'm very fortunate that I'm in this position right now. So, yeah, I'm not thinking about what has happened in the past. I've been telling, at the post match as well, I just want to stay in present because we are here for a mission and that mission is not yet completed.
Q. Yuvraj Singh had said that before the IPL you met him and you apparently told him runs are not coming; I'm striking but it's not coming. And he told you that, Rohit, don't worry. So what was that phase you were going through? And apart from that chat, anything that stands out? Apparently you told Yuvraj that the cycle of runs were not coming --
ROHIT SHARMA: (Not in English). I was not getting big runs. So we were just -- I mean, he's like a big brother to me. So we always talk about the game, about life. So he said when it matters you will do it. I guess probably he was talking about the World Cup, I think. So IPL, we were having a good chat around the game, basically. So because he was in a similar phase in 2011 before the World Cup, was not getting enough, like, not getting enough runs. So what he told me was to just be in good space. And that's what he did, that's why he was so successful at that World Cup. So that is the chat we had.
Q. The post match presentation you were saying that you set off thinking that you've not played any one-days. You've not got any centuries. How hard is it to do? It's easier said than done. How difficult is it?
ROHIT SHARMA: It is very difficult. Trust me because you're in that fraternity where you meet so many people. They will talk about how well you're batting, how many runs you're getting, how many hundreds you've scored. But to just keep away from all that is very important. And I'm trying to do that. Fortunate that we have a bunch of guys around us who do not discuss these kind of things too much, about personal milestones. And my family is here to distract me from that. So those are the things that are keeping me away from staying in the past, because I think -- and I totally believe that staying in the past is not so important than staying in the present. So I'm trying to do that. That's what I meant when I said that in the post match, that I don't want to think about how many ODI's I've played or how many runs I've scored or how many hundreds I've got. I just want to stay in present, which is today, and take it from there, because every day in cricket is fresh, because you kind of don't want to remember what has happened in the past. The past is for you guys to talk about and make things a little interesting. But for us it's just staying in the present because it's our duty, it's our job just to come out fresh and get the job done again on the first day.
Q. So, you're not checking your in-boxes?
ROHIT SHARMA: Not really. Like, WhatsApp messages I will because of my family members and close friends, I do that. But not on the game, the next day, when I'm traveling on the bus.
Q. Distractions, like Virat has also said, you've also said that it doesn't matter what's said outside, it's what in the changing room and what you people think. But do you think sometimes maybe -- what do you tell people who might get agitated by what's being said outside and they might react? Ravindra -- I'm not taking his name -- like what is your advice (laughter).
ROHIT SHARMA: Not taking his name -- you are using his name.
Q. It's not direct -- what do you say, they might get -- someone might get affected, might get hurt?
ROHIT SHARMA: See, that's the challenge for the sportsman. All this distraction will happen, but every individual is different, and it depends on how he wants to think about that particular incident or situation. For me, like I said just now, I want to stay away from all of that and enjoy the beautiful weather in England. I have my family here as well. So I'm trying to do, most of the time I'm trying to do that rather than all those talks going around and things like that. Because as long as you're playing that will happen. And we have to have a logistic manager because a lot of people are staying in the same hotel as us who want us to win the World Cup, who want us to score runs, score centuries. So you kind of want to stay away from all of that because eventually our job is to do that, our job is to come here, play good cricket and win the World Cup, we all know that. But constantly yapping in anyone's ear is not right. So I think for us as cricketers, it's important for us to just stay completely put that away and focus on the job at hand.
Q. Is this the biggest highlight of your career, five hundreds in the World Cup? And you also achieved several in One-Day cricket -- double hundreds, you scored a few times. So would you rate this feat of five hundreds as the biggest of your --
ROHIT SHARMA: No, not yet. If we win the World Cup then probably I would. If not, then I can't, because eventually winning the cup -- winning the game is important, no matter how many runs you score or how many wickets you take. For us, as cricketers, it's important to get the job done, because we all have been looking for this World Cup, which comes four years. You have to wait four years for this. Eventually the job for us is to go and win the finals, the semifinals before that, yes. But as long as that is not accomplished, no matter how many runs you score in the tournament or how many hundreds you get, you won't feel satisfied.
Q. From the context of going into the semifinal, how significant was it to chase and win? You haven't won chasing since the South Africa game. How significant was it, the chase and the manner in which you chased it down?
ROHIT SHARMA: I think it was important because we want to cover all our bases, tick all the boxes before the semis come. Basically it's a knockout for us, so we wouldn't be able to afford mistakes on that particular day, a lot of mistakes. So ticking boxes was very, very important. I think we batted well when we were put in. We scored a good amount of runs. Yes, after that South Africa game, this was a second chase we were in. So we wanted to make sure that we do it nice and clean. And, yes, so before the semifinal comes, we wanted to make sure that the boxes are ticked and we're good to go for the semis.
Q. You're known to score big daddy hundreds in ODIs. But in these five hundreds -- after initially scoring a hundred, you had a soft dismissal and you could see the frustration in you. Does it worry you at any level?
ROHIT SHARMA: No, not at all. Personally I was disappointed because after a hundred, I've said it many times, you can't -- bowlers can really get you out; it's your mistake that can cost you your wicket at that point. So I was disappointed with that, the three hundred, the last three hundreds I got, I couldn't go on to bat as deep as I could. But I would take that hundred. And the only reason I say that is because eventually we won the game, except one against England which I think we came pretty close as well. We lost by 25 runs, I think. But, yes, my aim and goal is always to bat as deep as I can, because after a hundred, it's your mistake that can cost you your wicket. That is what I have felt always. And, yeah, little disappointed with that, but I'll make sure if, come the semis, if I'm in that situation I wouldn't just let it go like that.
Q. Just wanting -- I know you say that you live in the present, but when the World Cup started, basically what did you tell yourself about approaching this? How do you approach it? What was it that you told yourself before starting off the campaign?
ROHIT SHARMA: I just wanted to be in good space before the start of the World Cup. And I think which I was in, because this year's World Cup was, we all know, it was a different format, 11 games before -- 10 games before you play the finals. So it's a long tournament, a long format. And then the conditions here really matter a lot.
So all those things put together, I personally wanted to be in good space, which I think I did pretty well. As soon as the game got away, I left everything behind and started focusing on the new day, which I think really helped me moving forward. And it did work here, but I don't know if it's going to work in the future as well, because every tournament is different. Every series you play is different. But here it is working for me. And that is what I was thinking before the start of the tournament, that I'll try and be in good space, good space is by doing so many things. That is very personal. So I tried doing all of those things, which I think help and worked for me.
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6 July - Leeds - Sri Lanka Captain Dimuth Karunaratne post-match press conference
Q. At the start, at the preview, the prepress conference, you wanted to see, give a farewell to Lasith playing his last World Cup. How do you think that the game went off? You feel for the loss and do you think it's sort of a feeling your -- a win would have been a better send-off for Lasith?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: Of course, I think if we can win it's good for Lasith. We all want to give him a nice farewell, but unfortunately we couldn't. But I think we tried really hard...So they wanted to put a fighting target for the Indians. I think they did very well. Unfortunately we couldn't do it. But Mali going to play another couple of games in Sri Lanka against Bangladesh. We'll try to give a nice send-off at that time.
Q. What is it with Angelo and Headingley? He averages 244 here. And what are the chances of him naming his next child as Headingley?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: Headingley, he's keep asking me if he can put a couple of games in here, then he can get some runs. I think he did really well on this wicket, even the test matches. So I think he knows this wicket really well. And the hundred, it's a really tough period. And if you're 50-for-4 and he comes in with really tough periods. And then we got a nice push from the Sri Lanka teams. And I think those are the things I was expecting in the middle, the middle part. I think he did really well.
And Thirimanne, in a supporting role, he did really well. At the end of the day he put a good score on this wicket, but unfortunately the Indians batted really well, even Rohit and Rahul got a nice start. And they keep scoring and scoring. Unfortunately we couldn't get a couple of wickets in the middle part. That's why we're on the losing side.
Q. I wanted to ask you, now that you've played India, what is the most challenging bit that you've found as a team taking on the Indians on the field today?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think they bowled really well, even Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar started really well. And even their spinners. They keep tightening and tightening. They keep bowling the good areas, make us to do mistakes. And those are things they never give us a loose ball when we are batting. And when we're bowling, Rohit and Rahul, they were fearless batting and keep scoring big runs, even 4s and 6s. We couldn't squeeze them at that time. So that's the main thing. And we watched them earlier and they keep doing that to other teams as well. I think they were in a good mindset, and they were a really, really good team for this competition. And they will do their best in the rest of the World Cup matches.
Q. This was Rohit's fifth hundred of the World Cup. Your young batsmen, what can they learn by watching somebody like him bat?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think he batted -- every time he gets a start, he keeps scoring big runs. That's what we want. He was fearless. And he knows how we're going to get a hundred and he's batting really well. At one time he wanted to take a charge and what bowlers he wants to respect. And those are the little things he mastered really well. And his simple plan, he keeps batting and batting. That's what I want for the youngsters. It's an ideal candidate to do watch, the men learn something from him, just keep batting and batting. He was very hungry for the runs. And that's a huge thing for the youngsters.
Q. You've played all of the teams now in the competition. Who do you think is the best team left in the World Cup, and who do you predict will win the trophy?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think every team on that particular day, they're doing really well. I think India, they're a good team, India. Even the Australians, they were in the good side. But I think if you take the balance side, India will be a good balancing side. They're nice spinners and good fast bowlers. And top of the batting line, they keep scoring hundreds. So I think India has a better chance to win this World Cup, for me, from my point of view. And I think at that particular day, if some -- if the other team can do better than the India team, they're definitely going to win.
Q. As you look to rebuild the team for the next World Cup, do you think India is a model that you can look at and grooming bowlers and batsmen, can sustain -- bowlers were suited for this format? And do you think this is a model that you can sort of look to copy in a way?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think India, they have a nice structure behind the India national team. I think they have the IPL. They have domestic good teams and a good season. So those are the things they will keep building, keep producing the good players. So we were expecting of our administration, they want to build a nice domestic season. And I was thinking the players who can play overseas and get some experience, even the IPL Big Bash, even the county season, these players they want experience. We were only playing the domestic season and straightaway to the international side. So we want to keep hanging out with all the national players, the other countries, those are the things they can learn something from them and then they can play under the huge crowds. That's the kind of things we want to rebuild. And we were trying to -- after this one we're going to, we will discuss with some former players and what they're expecting from the players and administration, we want to discuss and we want to rebuild a nice platform for the youngsters.
Q. Rohit had scored his fifth hundred today. There's so much that's been done before every game. Rohit before this game had scored four hundreds. Malinga knows him best probably the best on the Sri Lankan team. What was the plan going on into the second innings when Sri Lanka was supposed to bowl? And where do you think that the execution went wrong?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think we planned -- I think the previous thing I said, we planned really well, but we failed to execute at that time. And I think we bowled really well. But the wicket was not helping much. And Malinga, he knows Rohit really well. And he tried, he kept trying and trying. But unfortunately he couldn't get that wicket. Even Rahul's wicket, it's not easy, the wicket was getting slower and slower. And they keep batting. We had to bowl so many slow balls. And they were -- they know they have a good batting lineup behind them and they keep batting and batting. They know if they have 60 balls and need 90 runs they can do it. So they will keep hanging out. And once the shine's off, they will -- they batted really well at that time.
Q. At the start, at the preview, the prepress conference, you wanted to see, give a farewell to Lasith playing his last World Cup. How do you think that the game went off? You feel for the loss and do you think it's sort of a feeling your -- a win would have been a better send-off for Lasith?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: Of course, I think if we can win it's good for Lasith. We all want to give him a nice farewell, but unfortunately we couldn't. But I think we tried really hard...So they wanted to put a fighting target for the Indians. I think they did very well. Unfortunately we couldn't do it. But Mali going to play another couple of games in Sri Lanka against Bangladesh. We'll try to give a nice send-off at that time.
Q. What is it with Angelo and Headingley? He averages 244 here. And what are the chances of him naming his next child as Headingley?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: Headingley, he's keep asking me if he can put a couple of games in here, then he can get some runs. I think he did really well on this wicket, even the test matches. So I think he knows this wicket really well. And the hundred, it's a really tough period. And if you're 50-for-4 and he comes in with really tough periods. And then we got a nice push from the Sri Lanka teams. And I think those are the things I was expecting in the middle, the middle part. I think he did really well.
And Thirimanne, in a supporting role, he did really well. At the end of the day he put a good score on this wicket, but unfortunately the Indians batted really well, even Rohit and Rahul got a nice start. And they keep scoring and scoring. Unfortunately we couldn't get a couple of wickets in the middle part. That's why we're on the losing side.
Q. I wanted to ask you, now that you've played India, what is the most challenging bit that you've found as a team taking on the Indians on the field today?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think they bowled really well, even Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar started really well. And even their spinners. They keep tightening and tightening. They keep bowling the good areas, make us to do mistakes. And those are things they never give us a loose ball when we are batting. And when we're bowling, Rohit and Rahul, they were fearless batting and keep scoring big runs, even 4s and 6s. We couldn't squeeze them at that time. So that's the main thing. And we watched them earlier and they keep doing that to other teams as well. I think they were in a good mindset, and they were a really, really good team for this competition. And they will do their best in the rest of the World Cup matches.
Q. This was Rohit's fifth hundred of the World Cup. Your young batsmen, what can they learn by watching somebody like him bat?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think he batted -- every time he gets a start, he keeps scoring big runs. That's what we want. He was fearless. And he knows how we're going to get a hundred and he's batting really well. At one time he wanted to take a charge and what bowlers he wants to respect. And those are the little things he mastered really well. And his simple plan, he keeps batting and batting. That's what I want for the youngsters. It's an ideal candidate to do watch, the men learn something from him, just keep batting and batting. He was very hungry for the runs. And that's a huge thing for the youngsters.
Q. You've played all of the teams now in the competition. Who do you think is the best team left in the World Cup, and who do you predict will win the trophy?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think every team on that particular day, they're doing really well. I think India, they're a good team, India. Even the Australians, they were in the good side. But I think if you take the balance side, India will be a good balancing side. They're nice spinners and good fast bowlers. And top of the batting line, they keep scoring hundreds. So I think India has a better chance to win this World Cup, for me, from my point of view. And I think at that particular day, if some -- if the other team can do better than the India team, they're definitely going to win.
Q. As you look to rebuild the team for the next World Cup, do you think India is a model that you can look at and grooming bowlers and batsmen, can sustain -- bowlers were suited for this format? And do you think this is a model that you can sort of look to copy in a way?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think India, they have a nice structure behind the India national team. I think they have the IPL. They have domestic good teams and a good season. So those are the things they will keep building, keep producing the good players. So we were expecting of our administration, they want to build a nice domestic season. And I was thinking the players who can play overseas and get some experience, even the IPL Big Bash, even the county season, these players they want experience. We were only playing the domestic season and straightaway to the international side. So we want to keep hanging out with all the national players, the other countries, those are the things they can learn something from them and then they can play under the huge crowds. That's the kind of things we want to rebuild. And we were trying to -- after this one we're going to, we will discuss with some former players and what they're expecting from the players and administration, we want to discuss and we want to rebuild a nice platform for the youngsters.
Q. Rohit had scored his fifth hundred today. There's so much that's been done before every game. Rohit before this game had scored four hundreds. Malinga knows him best probably the best on the Sri Lankan team. What was the plan going on into the second innings when Sri Lanka was supposed to bowl? And where do you think that the execution went wrong?
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE: I think we planned -- I think the previous thing I said, we planned really well, but we failed to execute at that time. And I think we bowled really well. But the wicket was not helping much. And Malinga, he knows Rohit really well. And he tried, he kept trying and trying. But unfortunately he couldn't get that wicket. Even Rahul's wicket, it's not easy, the wicket was getting slower and slower. And they keep batting. We had to bowl so many slow balls. And they were -- they know they have a good batting lineup behind them and they keep batting and batting. They know if they have 60 balls and need 90 runs they can do it. So they will keep hanging out. And once the shine's off, they will -- they batted really well at that time.
DHONI183
A departed friend who will live in our memories fo
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Some sublime batting there yesterday by Rahul and Rohit, especially the latter. Beautiful strokes! However, I still maintain that 264 wasn´t a bad score. It´s just that the Sri Lankan bowlers made sure that a very, very good innings/century by Mathews was wasted. If only they´d a good spinner, and it could well have been an interesting match.
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