The Asia Cup 2022 match between India and Hong Kong got underway on Wednesday, August 31 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Hong Kong won the toss and opted to bowl first. Team India skipper Rohit Sharma got his team to a steady start. However, he once again failed to convert his performance into a big score.
Rohit Sharma opened the innings with KL Rahul for India. The duo started off cautiously as the wicket was offering some help to the bowlers. Rohit Sharma tried to take the initiative and go aggressive. He slammed a six against Haroon Arshad in the third over to accelerate the innings. Rohit also smashed a couple of boundaries during his stay at the crease.
However, the right-handed batter could not carry on as he was dismissed for 21 runs by Ayush Shukla. The Hong Kong bowler bowled a slower off-cutter, Rohit tried to swing at it but miscued the ball. It took the top edge before going towards mid-on, who completed a forward-diving catch.
4⃣ W
Rohit Sharma falls for 21 as Ayush Shukla strikes first for Hong Kong! #INDvHK | #AsiaCup2022
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 31, 2022
The Team India skipper has not been in the best of forms this year. He failed to make much of an impact in the Indian Premier League 2022 season. Rohit Sharma’s stats in 2022 T20Is have also been worrisome. He averages 23.07 in fifteen matches, with a strike rate of 135.71, including a fifty to his name.
Rohit Sharma’s dismissal against Hong Kong led to a lot of criticism from the fans. They pointed out his inability to convert starts into big scores this year. Meanwhile, some fans also blamed KL Rahul’s batting approach for Rohit Sharma’s dismissal.
Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to Rohit Sharma’s dismissal:
Ayush Shukla gets Rohit Sharma! What a moment for the 19-year-old. Rohit's worrisome form continues…#INDvHK #AsiaCup
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) August 31, 2022
Rohit Sharma dismissed for 21 from 13, given a steady start to India.#AsiaCup2022
— cricket lover (@Realnajimkhan) August 31, 2022
Rohit Sharma in last 5 T20Is
21(13), 12(18), 33(24), 11*(7) 0(2)
#IndvsHkg #INDvHKG #AsiaCup2022
— Anuj Mishra (@anujmishra003) August 31, 2022
Rohit Sharma today : pic.twitter.com/3XkL5hTZqp
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) August 31, 2022
Rohit Sharma is upgraded Sanju Samson nothing more😡🤬 #INDvHK
— Baagad Billa (@nniibbaaa) August 31, 2022
@ImRo45 Why to aim to hit a big shot on every ball? Why to just get yourself out like this?
— 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐤𝐚 🦋 (@ConfusedSoul35) August 31, 2022
29 innings for Rohit Sharma this year, (14 IPL + 15 T20I) and has just one fifty.
Averaging 21.11 in 2022 with a SR of 128
— ANURAG (@tu_kaisahaianu) August 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/jalan_akshay/status/1564985847987912707?s=20&t=CQjTOPDUNRrku5ABRQyIDA
Rohit Sharma waiting for KL Rahul in dressing room : pic.twitter.com/ftzyjcDne2
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) August 31, 2022
Actually Rohit Sharma out by #KLRahul
Dot Balls..— Sathy (@Sathy_reacts) August 31, 2022
First international wicket of KL Rahul- Rohit Sharma
— Melon Rusk 😎 (@CricCrazyRaj) August 31, 2022
KL Rahul again fails to make an impact
Indian opener KL Rahul has again failed to make an impact in the 2022 Asia Cup. He was dismissed for 36 runs off 39 deliveries, at a strike rate of 92.31. Rahul was dismissed for a golden duck in the opening match against Pakistan on Sunday. With the T20 World Cup 2022 around the corner, his form can be a cause of concern for India.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav joined Virat Kohli at the crease after KL Rahul’s dismissal. India is 94 for the loss of two wickets in thirteen overs.
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