Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been in a destructive mode in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, the Hitman was dismissed on a duck against Australia but has since smashed a century against Afghanistan followed by an 86-run knock versus Pakistan. Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra said that he would pick Rohit as his Man of the Match, instead of Jasprit Bumrah who eventually won the prize. The 36-year-old slammed Pakistan bowlers all over the park at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, setting the platform to complete a 192-run chase.
Courtesy of a masterclass from the Indian bowlers, led by Bumrah, Babar Azam and Co. could only score 191 after being invited to bat first. The Pakistan captain himself smashed a fifty while Mohammad Rizwan scored 49 but the rest of the batters failed to rise to the occasion.
Five Indian bowlers picked up two wickets each, while Shardul Thakur failed to open his account. Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel said that the all-rounder’s role in the Indian team remains a concern, before lauding the Hitman for his heroics with the bat.
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The former Indian opener turned commentator said that such was Rohit’s form that he made Pakistan bowlers look pedestrian.
“Small totals are tricky totals and you can get stuck sometimes. India were 2/3 against Australia. It [Rohit’s batting] was as if he had opened a laundry. He was smashing sixes everywhere and that too against bowlers whom we respect. Shaheen [Afridi], Haris [Rauf] and Hasan [Ali] – they are very decent bowlers,” said Chopra.
He added, “But Rohit made them look like pedestrian bowlers. In my book, the player of the match is Rohit Sharma, absolutely. Outstanding knock.”
With three wins from as many games, India are sitting pretty atop the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 points table but Chopra advised the Men in Blue to utilise Thakur better after he bowled just two overs against Pakistan.
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“The spoils were shared in democratic manner among bowlers. Five bowlers got two wickets each. There’s a big question mark about Shardul’s role in the team – he bowled only two overs. This is something the Indian team must reconsider. Losses teach everyone, but the ones who learn from wins and get better are champions,” said the 46-year-old.
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