The latest to entertain fans on social media during the lockdown period is Rohit Sharma of India and David Warner of Australia. They were involved in an Instagram live session, where they revealed quite a few interesting aspects to the fans. In one of those, Rohit Sharma spoke about Shikhar Dhawan’s hesitation to face the first ball of the innings.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan share a great bond between them both on and off the field. The duo has formed a formidable opening partnership for India in white-ball cricket, over the years and continues to dominate bowling attacks together. However, Rohit revealed how sometimes it is frustrating for him to bat with Dhawan, who is not always aware in the middle.
It kinds of makes you frustrated – Rohit Sharma
In the video, Warner, who had opened the innings with Dhawan for Sunrisers Hyderabad, asked Rohit if the left-handed batsman also tells him to face the first ball when they come out to open the innings.
“He is an idiot, He does not like to face the first ball. He likes to play the spinner but does not like to take on the spinners. Sometimes he is very annoying as well. In the middle, I am setting up the game and 5 seconds he is like what did you say. Imagine, you are under tremendous pressure and then this guy says all these things. It kinds of makes you frustrated,” Rohit said to Warner.
Now, I am comfortable with him –
Further, the flamboyant batsman has revealed a story that happened between him and Shikhar Dhawan during ICC Champions Trophy 2013. It was his second game as an opening batsman in any format of the game at the International stage.
“I remember way back in 2013 when I started opening for India in limited-overs. It was my first game as an opener in Champions Trophy. So I told him to take the strike as I had not faced the bowlers with the new ball. And he was like, no Rohit, you have been playing for a while this is my first tour. And I said I mean the guy who is a regular opener does not want to take the strike.”
“Then I took the strike and Morne Morkel was bowling and I did not see the first three balls because I was not expecting the bounce. That was my first experience with Shikhar, but now I am comfortable with him.”
Currently, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are arguably the best opening pair going around in limited-overs cricket. Shikhar and Rohit have together aggregated 4,902 ODI runs, fourth-most by an opening pair.
