Nasser Hussain expresses surprise as Rohit Sharma reaches number 1 spot in ICC ODI Rankings

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain expressed surprise that Rohit Sharma has reached the number one spot in the ICC ODI rankings for the first time in his career. Rohit has scored three double centuries in the ODI format and he has been a consistent performer in the 50-over format over the years.

Furthermore, the Indian opener scored five centuries in the 2019 World Cup in England. Meanwhile, Rohit scored an unbeaten knock of 121 runs off just 125 balls in the third ODI against Australia. This was Rohit’s 33rd ODI century as he batted at the top of his game and squashed any rumours regarding his ODI future. Rohit scored 13 fours and three sixes in his brilliant knock as he once again delivered for the team. 

Rohit scored 202 runs in three matches of the series at an average of 101 and thus bagged the Player of the Series award.

Nasser Hussain said while talking to the ICC, “I can’t believe it, to be honest. I heard he [Rohit Sharma] went to number one and my first question was- when has he been at number one before? And someone said it’s the first time. I mean, he’s been around forever; he’s got three double hundreds in ODI cricket. There must have been some good white players, one-day players in the last 15 years. Fabulous white-ball cricketer, fabulous player, and well done to him. He deserves to be number 1 in the world.”

“He’s got all the range of shots. He goes big like I said, three double hundreds. He’s not just interested in getting 20s and 30s. Although, recently obviously he’s upped his strike rate, especially in the powerplay,” he added.

Hussain lauded Rohit Sharma for changing the culture of the team during his stint as a leader. Rohit led from the front and adopted an aggressive approach in the white-ball formats to deliver the goods.

“He tried to set the tone and change the culture of the team when he was captain, and he did that and did that seriously well. He just got all the shots, you can pitch it up and you get driven down the ground. The bowlers just drag their length back a little bit and he’s one of the great pullers in the modern game and he’s a fabulous player of spin as well and hunger for the game.”

“What’s he? 38 now and still as hungry as ever. Got runs the other day and he’s a joy to watch,” he added.

Rohit will be next seen in action in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.