Rohit Sharma‘s Indian team secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in Ahmedabad, extending their flawless ODI World Cup record against their neighbours to 8-0.
India had displayed excellence in their first two 2023 World Cup matches, and Pakistan was anticipated to provide stiff competition. However, led by Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian bowlers orchestrated a memorable collapse, restricting Pakistan to a meager 191 runs.
The Indian batting lineup, led by the in-form Rohit Sharma, contributed significantly to the victory, particularly his splendid performance, scoring 86 runs from 63 deliveries. The Indian captain showcased a seamless blend of power and finesse in his batting.
Pakistan’s bowlers were undoubtedly aware of Rohit Sharma’s previous ODI achievements against their team, as he maintains an average of 51.35 against them, including two centuries.
The top 5 ODI innings by Rohit Sharma against Pakistan:
#5 In the 2014 Asia Cup in Dhaka, Rohit Sharma scored 56 runs off 58 balls
On a challenging pitch in Dhaka during the 2014 Asia Cup, where most batsmen found it difficult to score, Rohit Sharma seemed at ease. He not only overcame the early challenges posed by Pakistan’s fast bowlers, who were in top form, but he also handled the threat of Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan’s key bowler on that pitch. As Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan fell quickly, Rohit partnered with Ajinkya Rahane to guide the team to a competitive total of 245/8.
#4 In the 2023 World Cup in Colombo, Rohit Sharma’s Scored 56 runs off 49 balls
By adopting a more aggressive approach during the powerplay, Rohit Sharma elevated his batting game. This change in his strategy was clearly visible in the 2023 Asia Cup league match when he confidently faced Pakistan’s new ball bowlers.
Together with Shubman Gill, Rohit set a solid foundation for India, with him reaching a quick fifty in only 38 balls. The outstanding performances of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, who both scored centuries, propelled the team to a total of 356/2 in the opening innings.
#3. In the 2018 Asia Cup held in Dubai, Rohit Sharma played an unbeaten inning of 111 runs from 119 balls
While chasing a modest target of 238 runs, the opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma displayed dominance, preventing Pakistan from making a comeback. Dhawan’s performance was particularly impressive, and Rohit initially played a supporting role.
But as he settled in, he began to unleash an onslaught on Pakistan’s bowlers. Both Rohit and Dhawan achieved centuries, resulting in India securing a convincing nine-wicket victory.
#2. During the 2017 Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma scored 91 runs off 119 balls at Edgbaston
In a rain-interrupted match with several play stoppages, the Indian openers faced the challenging task of maintaining focus and setting a solid platform for the middle order. The pitch, which favoured swing bowlers, made their job even more challenging.
However, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan managed to provide India with an excellent start, forging a 136-run partnership. Initially, Rohit showed caution but later unleashed his attacking game after settling in. He scored 91 runs off 119 balls with seven fours and two sixes, narrowly missing out on a century after getting run out.
#1. In the 2019 World Cup match in Manchester, Rohit Sharma scored 140 runs from 113 balls
In the 2019 World Cup match against Pakistan, a delayed start due to rain and Pakistan’s decision to exploit the early moisture in the pitch raised concerns about India’s opening batsmen facing a challenging swing attack.
However, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul not only handled the initial threat smoothly but also demonstrated that the pitch was manageable if batters showed determination. Despite the pitch’s occasional unpredictability, Rohit showcased his remarkable batting skills and scored an impressive 140 runs from just 113 balls, including 14 fours and three sixes.
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