Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Rohit Sharma for scoring a crucial half-century on a difficult pitch in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win against Ireland. The Indian captain scored 52 runs off 37 balls with four fours and three sixes as well. However, Team India bundled Ireland out for 96 as well. However, India then achieved the target with eight wickets and 46 balls in hand.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “Ideally, I should be talking about the bowlers first because they got the opposition all out for 96 but I am going to talk about a batter as these were the conditions where batting was most difficult. Lasting longer was the problem here, whether there was any batter who could last really long. What could have gone wrong in a run chase of 96? The only thing that could have gone wrong was losing early wickets. It was possible that everyone scored 10-15 runs and then, although you would have won the game, the win wouldn’t have been enjoyable. In such a scenario, it was important for the captain to last long and play an extended innings, and he showed that by doing it.”

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However, Rohit Sharma added 54 runs for the second wicket with Rishabh Pant (36* off 26) after Virat Kohli was dismissed for a five-ball one. Pant ensured India got over the line after Rohit was retired hurt. Aakash Chopra shared that Rohit Sharma was struck a few times on the
body and might have been forced to retire hurt due to unbearable pain as well.

“At times, it becomes very difficult. It was actually the case with Rohit Sharma. The captain had to go retired hurt in the end. He retired hurt because he was hit by two or three balls. Ultimately, I don’t know the status of his injury. He was standing on the doorstep of victory but he still said that he couldn’t bear it anymore and went out. Kohli got out early. Rishabh Pant came at No. 3. He was also hit by a lot of balls and the physio had to come in. However, he remained unbeaten on 36 and played one or two good shots. He hit three fours and two sixes. Suryakumar got out early but India won the game in 12.2 overs,” Aakash Chopra concluded.