India's very own Hitman, Rohit Sharma, after a masterful century against Afghanistan, has proved how a big threat he can be for the opponent team when he is in his elements. Rohit Sharma's recent knock of a staggering 131 runs off just 84 balls, helping India make light work of Afghanistan's 273-run target in mere 35 overs, has left everyone, including cricket legends in awe.
He not only helped India clinch back-to-back victories in the ongoing ODI World Cup but also busted many record with his centurion knock. By notching his seventh century in ODI World Cups, he surpassed legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Accumulating 31 centuries overall in ODIs, he overtook Australian batting great Ricky Ponting, ascending to the third position in the all-time ODI century list.
Not just this, Rohit also matched Australia's David Warner for fastest 1000 World Cup runs in just 19 innings. Also, his blistering ton became the fastest by any Indian in the ODI World Cup history. Another feather in his cap came when he shattered Chris Gayle's record by cracking an astounding 556 sixes in international cricket, a step ahead of Gayle's 553.
Keeping all this in mind, Pakistan's legendary cricketers, Wasim Akram, Misbah-Ul-Haq admitted Rohit will be a big threat for Babar Azam's bowlers.
Pakistan's cricket legends in awe of Rohit
As India gear up for much-anticipated World Cup clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, Rohit's exceptional form has indeed become a talking point for the Pakistan's cricket legends. Bowling great Wasim Akram candidly commented on Rohit's performance, saying, "Rohit Sharma looked so beautiful. He played proper shots and took no risks at all... Rohit was a different beast altogether," as aired on A Sports.
Former Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq talked about how Rohit will pose a threat for Pakistani bowlers. He said, "Ye sab dekhne k baad mujhe lagta hai baki sare teams pe bohut pressure hoga. Ball karna kaha pe hai? (There will be a lot of pressure on every team now after watching Rohit bat like this. Where do you bowl to him?) If you bowl outside the off stump, he hits hit for boundary, if you go straight, he lifts you over your head, if you drop it short, he pulls you for a six over square leg or fine leg. The way he is batting let alone the margin of error, they will have no clue where to bowl".
Meanwhile, Akram added, "'Bachna kaise hai? (How do you survive Rohit's blitzkrieg?) It'll be very difficult for the Pakistan bowlers."
Former Pakistan's star wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan said that Shaheen Afridi will have to bowl good to get rid of Rohit Sharma. "He has to be dismissed early... Otherwise, it seems very difficult to get him out," Moin said.
Amidst all the praise, Akram also underscored Rohit's outstanding conversion rate in World Cups, comparing his record with legends like Tendulkar, Sangakkara, and Ponting, labeling it as "phenomenal."
Notably, both India and Pakistan are heading into this game with emphatic victories in their opening World Cup matches. While India registered stunning wins over Australia and Afghanistan, Pakistan defeated Netherlands and Sri Lanka in their first two matches.
Pakistan are yet to beat India in ODI World Cup matches as in a total of seven encounters between the arch-rivals, Men in Blue have emerged victorious all of them.
On October 14, Saturday, yet again India and Pakistan will be up against each other to set the ongoing ODI World Cup stage on fire.
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