Would you be forgiven for saying virat Kohli to all of the above. After all, their numbers are bradmanesque. But the fact is that the previous feats are recorded by Rohit sharma.
Rohit, however, also holds the dubious record of having scored his four centuries of ODI in a losing cause against Australia in Australia. But he’s a modern-day white-ball colossus, and a hamstring injury sustained during the IPL means he’ll be busy doing rehab in Bengaluru rather than reveling in Australian bowlers.
As MS DhoniIn an inspired move he asked Rohit to open innings against England at Mohali in 2013, Rohit has become the pre-eminent player alongside Kohli, especially in the limited ones. Cricket. At actual pitches in Australia, his easy back foot play and ability to accelerate as the innings progress will be missed.
The first one more, since it has that enviable quality to pull the same ball thrown in a long on the midwicket and cut it pointed. They are two of his most productive hits, especially the pull.
That’s why Rohit trolled the ICC with a sarcastic and narcissistic response when they tweeted a collage of Viv Richards, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting and Herschelle Gibbs with the question “who has the best shot” in March, when all the cricket had closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rohit’s response was wild, but subtle, like his hitting.
“Is anyone missing here? It’s not easy working from home I guess. ”Being ignored from that list by the ICC shook the five-time IPL-winning captain, as he has hit more than 100 sixes with that hit in the last seven years alone. YouTube highlights of his ton in Sydney in 2019 and the expressions on Jason Behrendorff and Peter Siddle’s faces when Rohit delivered perfect second-level SCG deliveries.
In addition to learning the art of trolling, Rohit has also mastered the grammar of hitting limited overs as a starter. His strike rate on the first Powerplay (10 overs) is around 60. The point balls don’t bother him because he knows he has the ability to recover and clear the field. That squad during the World Cup was rewarded with five centuries.
In 138 ODI, since 2013, the ‘Hitman’ has sent the ball over the ropes 221 times. His absence from Down Under won’t just rob India of a weapons player at the top. It also disturbs a productive opening association.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit, since hitting together in the 2013 Champions Trophy, have formed a dream partnership. They have opened 107 times and added 4802 races with stands from the 16th century with an average of 45.30. In addition to being a left-handed and right-handed pair, the duo have the ability to hit good balls for limits and that often makes the job of incoming hitters easier.
So what are the Indian options? KL Rahul was assigned the role of ‘goalkeeper and runner-up at number 5, when the Australians were in India in early 2020 and when India toured New Zealand, and it was a success. As a goalkeeper, he is now more secure in his place and the vice-captaincy will be an additional feather along with the IPL Orange Cap. Will they move it again? Mayank Agarwal proved in the IPL that he can master quality attacks.
Kohli himself may open, as he has rehearsed that role in T20 for RCB with success. Or will they play with Shubman gill? We’ll know for sure on Friday
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