'Keep your spirits up, India is with you': Kapil Dev's special message for Rohit Sharma

NEW DELHI: In a heartening show of support, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev lauded the current skipper Rohit Sharma , encouraging him to maintain high spirits amid the ongoing World Cup.

Opting to bat in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Rohit propelled India to a dynamic start with his explosive innings, contributing 47 runs off 31 balls.

However, Rohit's time on the field was curtailed by Maxwell's deceptive spin and an exceptional catch by Travis Head. Following his departure, the free-flowing boundaries that characterised the initial phase of the innings became scarce, as the remaining batters grappled to locate the fence.

Despite this setback, Kapil's words of encouragement serve as a reminder that the entire nation stands behind Rohit, emphasising the collective support for the Indian team in their pursuit of victory.

Kapil took to Instagram to praise the Indian skipper and motivate him to look forward to the future that lies ahead of him.

"You've played like champions boys. Keep your chin up. The trophy was the ultimate in your minds but you've emerged winners nonetheless. India is proud of you," Kapil wrote.

"Rohit, you are a master at what you do. You have a lot of success awaiting you. It's tough I know but keep your spirits up. India is with you," he further added in his Instagram story.

After the match, Rohit didn't hold back while reflecting on the game and admitted that they didn't play their best cricket.

"The result has not gone our way. We were not good enough today. We tried everything we could but I feel wicket got slightly better to bat under lights. Don't want to give that as an excuse. We knew under lights it would be slightly better to bat, but don't want to give that as an excuse. We didn't put enough runs on the board. With the seamers upfront, we took those 3 wickets and another wicket there, we could open up the game. Credit to those two guys in the middle for stitching an outstanding partnership," Rohit said after the match.

Coming to the match, India were bundled out on a score of 240 in 50 overs. On a tough batting surface, skipper Rohit Sharma (47 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes), Virat Kohli (54 in 63 balls, with four boundaries) and KL Rahul (66 in 107 balls, with one four) posted important knocks.

Mitchell Starc (3/55) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Skipper Pat Cummins (2/34) and Josh Hazlewood (2/60) also bowled well. Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell got a wicket each.

While chasing 241, India had the Aussies down at 47/3. Knocks from Travis Head (137 in 120 balls, with 15 fours and four sixes) and Marnus Labuschagne (58 in 110 balls, with four boundaries) left the Indian team without answers and guided them to a six-wicket win.

The World Cup finalists will now compete in a five-match T20I series which will begin on Thursday in Visakhapatnam.

(With ANI Inputs)