Team India star batter Shreyas Iyer praised captain Rohit Sharma's bold batting style following their victory over New Zealand in the World Cup 2023 semi-final held in Mumbai. India managed to amass a massive total of 397 runs and successfully defended it, limiting New Zealand to 327 runs at the Wankhede Stadium.
Rohit's aggressive strategy, particularly during the first powerplay after choosing to bat first, was instrumental in setting a strong foundation for India. He fearlessly attacked New Zealand's frontline bowlers, including Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner, as India raced to 84 runs in the first ten overs.
Rohit confidently faced Trent Boult, known for his early wicket-taking ability, and did not hesitate to charge down the pitch, hitting the left-arm pacer for a six. This assertive play disrupted Boult's rhythm significantly. Furthermore, when New Zealand captain Kane Williamson introduced spinner Santner into the attack, Rohit continued his aggressive play with lofted sweep shots.
This aggressive start by Rohit put the New Zealand bowlers under pressure as he adhered to his strategy of attacking from the outset. Though Rohit scored 47 runs off 29 balls, his performance significantly influenced the match's dynamics, setting the stage for the rest of the batting lineup.
Rohit's opening partnership with Shubman Gill paved the way for Virat Kohli to settle in and score his 50th ODI century. Following them, Shreyas Iyer maintained the momentum with a brisk 105 off 70 balls, marking his second consecutive century and fourth successive fifty-plus score in the tournament.
"Rohit Sharma, to be honest, he sets the template for us. He gives us that kind of starts that we have to go out there and carry forward the pace he has set for us. I personally feel he is a fearless captain. His body language talks a lot about him," Iyer told Star Sports.
"Also, it's kind of infectious. When he is in the dressing room, when you look at him, he is so casual in his body language. That rubs off on all the players in the team. That's what I love about him as captain," he added.
Rohit's evolution as a batsman since assuming the role of ODI captain has been remarkable. Transitioning from a role of accumulating runs to adopting an aggressive batting style, Rohit has embraced this approach with confidence in World Cup 2023. His league stage performance was exceptional, scoring over 500 runs at a strike rate of over 120.
There was considerable anticipation to see if Rohit would maintain his fearless batting approach in the high-stakes semi-final. He lived up to expectations, playing a pivotal role in setting up India's commanding total, further solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and impactful leader and batsman in modern cricket.
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