Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has rated Rohit Sharma as the most destructive batter in ODIs after the second ODI against England. Rohit scored a brilliant knock of 119 runs off just 90 balls with the help of a dozen fours and seven sixes as India registered a four-wicket win at Cuttack on Sunday.
Rohit, who has been under the pump in the recent past for his mundane performances, was able to finally prove his mettle. The right-hander completed his 32nd ODI century off just 76 balls after he smashed Adil Rashid for a maximum.
Rohit is only 13 runs away from reaching 11000 ODI runs and he will become the second fastest Indian to reach the milestone after Virat Kohli.
“Rohit is perhaps the most destructive opening batter in the one-day game, and his striking form is a vital ingredient if India are hoping to regain the Trophy that they won way back in 2013. Not many batters have hit multiple double-hundreds in this format, and Rohit is one of those rare batters who has done so,” wrote Gavaskar for Sportstar.
Gavaskar highlighted Rohit’s return to form before the all-important Champions Trophy is a big positive for the team.
“Rohit Sharma hitting a sparkling century was perhaps even more reason for celebration than India winning the match and, with it, another one-day series, against England. Cricket is a team game for sure, but it’s also important, especially ahead of a world tournament like the ICC Champions Trophy, for the lead actors to show that they are in good form and raring to go.”
The Little Master added that Rohit’s return to form will also help him in his leadership in the upcoming matches.
“The reason it is also crucial for the captain of the team to be in form is that he is able to make good decisions while under pressure. Tough situations require bold calls, and if a captain is doing well personally, then he is not thinking of the ramifications of a bold tactical move going wrong,” wrote Gavaskar in the aforementioned column.
“The move works again because when a captain is in great touch, the gut feel, which is an important part of taking the decision, turns right more often than not.”
The final and third ODI between India and England will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
