Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin showered praise on Rohit Sharma after Mumbai Indians clinched a six-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday. 

Rohit scored 78 runs off 38 balls in the run-chase of 221 to help MI to a comprehensive win. The right-hander smashed six fours and as many sixes as he scored his runs at a strike rate of 205.26. The veteran batter batted at the top of his game and added 148 runs for the opening alliance with Ryan Rickelton.

Ashwin was not impressed with KKR’s bowling and felt they just fed Rohit Sharma. The former off-spinner said MI has a potent team and they will get even stronger when Mitchell Santner and Will Jacks are available.

“KKR just fed him. The moment he hit that pull shot of Vaibhav Arora, he was set there only. Leaner, fitter, meaner, stronger Rohit is adding more strength to this MI team. Santner and Jacks were not available, Deepak Chahar was not there. Anyone can come in this team, they can change the combination any way, they have such a strong line-up,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

On the other hand, Ashwin also praised Shardul Thakur, who returned with figures of 3-39 in his quota of four overs. Thakur accounted for Cameron Green, Finn Allen, and Ajinkya Rahane and thus was awarded Player of the Match.

“The switch moment happened two months before only. He was taken in trade by MI, that only ended up being huge switch. He was played ahead of Deepak Chahar today, and when the opposition scored 220, Shardul Thakur picked up 3-39. If he has any shortcomings, he compensates it with attitude,” Ashwin said.

Mumbai Indians will next take on Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Saturday.