Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara said Rohit Sharma would have been relieved after scoring 79 runs off 69 balls in the third ODI against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday. In the first two ODIs against the visitors, Rohit had returned with scores of 16 and 48 but smashed nine fours and three maximums.
Rohit scored his 62nd ODI fifty as he changed gears after getting off to a sedate start. The Indian veteran added a fine opening alliance of 170 runs off 137 balls with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“No matter how big a player you are, you need runs, and the way Rohit batted today (Saturday), the rhythm was visible. It was necessary for him to score runs. The team management is backing him, but as a player, when you don’t score runs, the pressure on you mounts a little,” Pujara said on JioStar.
“So he would have felt a little relieved that he is back in form. It will be slightly easier for him when he plays his next innings in England, and that wicket will also suit him. He also performed well in fielding. He took three catches. So, overall, it was a good day for him. He can go to England slightly relaxed,” he added.
Pujara, India’s former number three Test batter, questioned if Rohit can maintain consistency if he plays only one format.
“The experience will definitely be useful, especially since the World Cup will happen in South Africa, and you will need experienced players there. The only question is about the fitness. Can you maintain your consistency when you play only one format? That will be the only question,” he said.
The former Saurashtra batter pointed out that Rohit played Afghanistan’s lead spinner Rashid Khan with guile, playing him as an off-spinner.
“He got out to Rashid Khan in the last match. The good thing in this match was how he rectified it. He wasn’t playing him as a leg-spinner but as an off-spinner. He targeted the leg side on most shots and tried to play with the spin because Rashid’s strength is not leg spin but the googlies,” Pujara elaborated.
Rohit will be next seen in action in the ODI series against England.
