Devendra Bora explains masterplan behind Rohit Sharma’s first-ball dismissal in VHT clash

Rohit Sharma had a contrasting fortune in Mumbai's Vijay Hazare Trophy clash against Uttarakhand after cracking a solid century in the season opener. Just days after an explosive yet unbeaten 155 against Sikkim, the batting maestro was dismissed for a golden duck. His stay at the crease lasted only a single delivery, providing Uttarakhand with a massive early breakthrough and a rare setback for the Mumbai stalwart.

Devendra Bora sends Rohit Sharma packing on golden duck

The man responsible for the prize wicket was rookie pacer Devendra Singh Bora, who instantly grabbed headlines with the dismissal. Following the match, Bora revealed that the achievement was no accident; the Uttarakhand captain and coaching staff had developed a specific tactical blueprint to target the former India skipper. They decided to test Rohit with an aggressive short-ball strategy immediately, and Bora executed the plan to perfection.

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Devendra Bora reacts to Rohit Sharma’s first-ball dismissal

Bora detailed how the team had anticipated Rohit's approach and opted for a high-risk, high-reward delivery to catch him off guard. By steaming in and delivering a sharp, well-directed bouncer on the very first ball, the Uttarakhand side successfully hurried the opener, leading to his premature exit. This tactical success highlighted a disciplined effort from the underdog side against one of the most formidable batters in world cricket.

“Our plan from the start, as discussed with the coach and captain, we would bowl a bouncer to him. He plays the bouncer well, but we knew there was a risk that it could go for six. But our idea was that on the first ball we would attack with a bouncer. We knew there was a risk it could go for a six, but the idea was to create a chance with the bouncer," Bora told PTI.

When asked if the positioning of fielder Kamlesh Nagarkoti was intentional, Devendra Singh Bora confirmed that the placement was a deliberate tactical move. Stationing a fielder at fine leg was a central part of Uttarakhand’s pre-match strategy, specifically designed to anticipate where Rohit might direct a hooked or pulled shot off the planned bouncer.

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Despite the high-profile nature of the wicket, Bora entered the clash with Mumbai as a relative newcomer to List A cricket, having played only two matches in the format previously. However, he had already begun to show his potential in Uttarakhand’s season opener against Himachal Pradesh, where he accounted for all four of his career limited-overs wickets prior to this game.

Bora’s white-ball success is backed by a solid foundation in the First-Class circuit, where he has become a regular fixture for his state. Having appeared in 15 Ranji Trophy matches and claiming 30 wickets, he is no stranger to the long-form grind. His standout performance earlier this season—a disciplined 6/79 against a strong Bengal side—highlighted his red-ball pedigree and signaled the growing confidence that ultimately allowed him to upstage a legend like Rohit Sharma.