Last Update on: November 18th, 2023 at 11:38 am
Legendary cricketer Gundappa Viswanath praised India skipper Rohit Sharma for his aggressive style of batting throughout the ICC World Cup 2023. Gundappa Viswanath emphasized that Rohit Sharma’s approach in the power play sets the tone for the team.
Rohit Sharma has scored 550 runs in 10 games at an average of 55, including a century and three fifties. He provided quick starts and set up a platform for the middle-order batters to play comfortably. He has the best strike rate (124.15) among the top-10 run-getters.
Rohit Sharma Has Been Giving Aggressive Starts – Gundappa Viswanath
Gundappa Viswanath pointed out that Rohit Sharma‘s aggressive starts in the powerplay created a foundation for Virat Kohli to anchor the innings, allowing him to bat for an extended period.
“The way Rohit has been giving aggressive starts in the powerplay even though he is not getting big scores like 100 which he is capable of… the other batters are following that pattern,” said Viswanath, as quoted by news agency PTI.
“From the beginning, Kohli doesn’t go for sixes, he tries to work it out, for Rohit is setting the base. All know Shubman hits clean and so it is the key for the latter batsmen to come and get going,” he added.
The 36-year-old scored a six-ball duck against Australia during the league stage of the World Cup. Despite Rohit’s early dismissal, India secured a victory in the match, with KL Rahul (97*) and Virat Kohli (85) playing crucial roles in the successful chase of 200 runs.
Rohit Sharma Should Carry On This In The Final – Gundappa Viswanath
Gundappa Viswanath encouraged Rohit Sharma to play a longer innings in the World Cup final against Australia, emphasizing that he has the capability to score 150 or more. Viswanath suggested that Rohit’s presence after the power play would benefit the team.
“This is the final, so he (Rohit) should carry on. We all know what kind of batter he is, he’s capable of scoring 150 if not more, that should be on his mind. Instead of giving platform to other batters, once he gets in and comes closer to powerplay, he should continue, that will help the team and give more worry to opponent,” Viswanath further added.
The Rohit Sharma-led team will face the Pat Cummins-led team in the World Cup final clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.