India vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma impressed with middle-order show

Rohit Sharma on Saturday heaped praise on the team's batters, saying it was pleasing to see the middle-order shouldering the responsibility after the early dismissals of openers. "I think it was pleasing to see for us the middle order coming out and performing. It is good to see those guys taking the responsibility and finishing off games. To finish the way they did was really good," Rohit said at the post-match presentation after India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second T20 here. After the early dismissals of Rohit and Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer hit a whirlwind unbeaten 74 as India registered the comfortable win to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Besides Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja blasted 45 off 18 balls as India chased down the target of 184 with 17 deliveries to spare and register their 11th straight win in the format. Sanju Samson also contributed 39 off 25 balls.

The Indian bowlers leaked runs in the last five overs but Rohit refused to put the blame on his bowling unit. "I don't want to be too harsh on the bowlers. It can happen these days, but we restricted them (Sri Lanka) in the first 15 overs. It was a good pitch to bat on as well," he said.

Rohit also praised Jadeja and man-of-the-match Iyer for their batting performances. "Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) came and looked positive from ball one and Shreyas as well," he added. Losing skipper Dasun Shanaka said that his team started well but rued their under-performance in the powerplay overs -- both with bat and ball.

"We started really well, but we should've done more in the powerplay. If we got another wicket in powerplay, it could've been better for us. "Lahiru must bowl at the first six overs. The game was set for me, the wicket