Captain Rohit Sharma has been setting an example with the bat in the 2023 World Cup. Across four innings, he’s scored 265 runs at an average of 66.25 and a brisk strike rate of 137.31. The Indian team hopes he can maintain this excellent form in their upcoming match against New Zealand in Dharamsala.
Rohit’s World Cup journey began on a disappointing note against Australia when he was dismissed for a duck, trapped lbw by Josh Hazlewood. However, he quickly rebounded, smashing a remarkable 131 off 84 balls against Afghanistan.
The 36-year-old continued his fine form with an 86 off 63 balls against arch-rivals Pakistan and a solid 48 off 40 balls against Bangladesh. Looking at his ODI performance against New Zealand, Rohit has featured in 27 matches, accumulating 889 runs at an average of 37.04, which is notably lower than his overall average of 49.18.
He has scored two centuries against the Kiwis, and interestingly, both of these hundreds were achieved on home soil, where his average in 13 matches is 43.91.
Rohit’s highest ODI score against New Zealand was 147, achieved in Kanpur in October 2017. He faced 138 balls, striking 18 fours and two sixes.
During this innings, he partnered with Virat Kohli for a massive 230-run second-wicket stand. India set a target of 337/6 while batting first and eventually won the match by six runs.
His second ODI century against New Zealand occurred in Indore in January 2023. Rohit scored 101 runs from 85 balls, featuring nine fours and six sixes.
Opening alongside Shubman Gill (112 off 78), they established a 212-run partnership as India posted a total of 385/9 while batting first. India won this contest by a margin of 90 runs.
Sharma has also delivered noteworthy ODI performances against New Zealand, such as his innings of 79 in Hamilton in January 2014, 70 in Visakhapatnam in October 2016, and 87 in Mount Maunganui in January 2019.
Rohit Sharma’s performance against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup
Rohit participated in just one ODI World Cup match against New Zealand, specifically the 2019 semi-final in Manchester. He entered this crucial showdown with outstanding form, having scored three consecutive centuries.
However, it proved to be a letdown as he was dismissed for one run off four balls by New Zealand’s Matt Henry. He was caught behind by a well-directed delivery outside off.
India couldn’t make a comeback after an early setback and lost all their wickets, scoring 221 runs in 49.3 overs while trying to reach 240.
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