During the 14th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Mumbai, Mumbai Indians’ captain Rohit Sharma registered his 33rd IPL half-century in a situation where his team required him the most.
After being sent in to bat by Virat Kohli, Mumbai Indians’ had lost a couple of wickets on the first two deliveries of the match. However, it was a 108-run partnership for the third wicket between Evin Lewis and Sharma which brought back the Indians into the game.
Sharma, who came in to bat at No. 4 in the first over itself, scored his first four in the second over through the cover region off Chris Woakes. With Lewis dominating in the powerplay, Sharma was contented with giving the strike to the West Indian opener. Mumbai had scored 60-2 in the first six over, out of which Sharma had contributed 12* (10).
On the second delivery of the eighth over, Sharma stepped out to hit his first six of the match over midwicket off Washington Sundar. Sharma further up the ante in the 10th over by hitting consecutive fours off Corey Anderson. The best of Sharma was seen once Lewis got out on 65 in the 12th over.
When the onus was solely on him, Sharma brought out his top game. He hit Umesh Yadav for a six and a four on the first two deliveries of his third over. In the following over, the 16th of the innings, for the second time in the match, Sharma hit a couple of boundaries off Anderson.
Sharma followed it up with individual sixes off Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Siraj in the next two overs. He eventually got out in the last over, scoring 94 (52) with the help of 10 fours and five sixes.
Watch how followers on Twitter reacted on Sharma’s exceptional innings:
If Rohit isn’t going to open, then coming in at 0/2 in the first over is the next best option #MIvRCB
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/retardedwriter/status/986273203961053184
This is the reason why #virat is a fan of @ImRo45 ‘s batting.. #hitmanisback #MIVRCB #VIVOIPL
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/mipaltan/status/986273068937957376
https://twitter.com/_Shivani_C/status/986271108000137218
Rohit Sharma once again rocking at number four. Imagine him at 4 in India's ODI side. It will solve everything. Man can set himself up before the 40th over and absolutely cause carnage in the final ten. #MIvRCB
— Narbavi (@Narbavi) April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/naina4ucozy/status/986273748914290693
Either Virat Kohli has no captaincy skills or Rohit Sharma is beyond Kohli's imagination. There is no third thing. Admit it.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) April 17, 2018
And the Hitman is back with a bang😃😎 Happiness is Rohit ! Rohit ! Chants across Wankhede 😀😁 Rohit Sharma you beauty🤗😍come on Mumbai Indians ✌👍 #RohitSharma @ImRo45 #MumbaiIndians #CricketMeriJaan#MIvRCB
— 🙇 (@Hermaze__) April 17, 2018
That last SIX from Rohit Sharma landed in Brabourne stadium's pavilion.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) April 17, 2018
