Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Rohit Sharma for helping Team India out of trouble in their 2023 World Cup clash against England. However, Rohit smashed 87 runs off 101 deliveries as Team India set England a 230-run target in Lucknow on Sunday, October 29. Their bowlers then bowled out England for 129 to complete an amazing 100-run win and virtually seal a semi-final berth as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “When the cameras’ focus is a lot more on one player, a lot of people go into the background. It has happened with Rohit Sharma for a long time that the focus wasn’t on him. His performances used to come for sure but almost like a side dish. But he is the main gravy, he is the guy.”
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The former India opener further added: “He has seven centuries in World Cups. If you see this match, you will find that there was no way India would have come even close in the match without his 87. India were three down for nothing. If Rohit Sharma had got out early, the story would have been embarrassing, you wouldn’t have scored even 150.”
However, Team India were reduced to 40/3 after losing Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s wickets in the first 12 overs as well. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul (39 off 58) then added together a 91-run fourth-wicket stand before Suryakumar Yadav’s 47-ball 49 took them to a respectable total as well.
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“However, Rohit stood there. The six he hit off Mark Wood’s bowling was amazing. Fantabulous Rohit Sharma. His form is to India’s advantage. His massive knock came in one more big encounter at a very crucial time. KL Rahul was also playing well although I am not too happy with his shot because he got out similarly to Kohli. Suryakumar Yadav played a very good 49-run knock. The 21-run partnership between Bumrah and Kuldeep took the team to a 229-run total,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
