Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has commended India's captain Rohit Sharma, noting that Sharma makes batting look effortlessly easy. In the final group-stage match of the World Cup 2023, Rohit contributed with a half-century as India dominated the Netherlands and secured a 160-run victory on November 12.
In an interview with A Sports, Akram emphasised that there is no player in international cricket quite like Rohit. He went on to say that Rohit's batting appears incredibly effortless. Rohit's impressive performance included scoring 61 runs off 54 balls, hitting eight boundaries and two sixes.
"There's no player like Rohit Sharma in international cricket. We talk about Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson and Babar Azam but this guy is different. He makes batting look so easy no matter what the opposition or bowling attack," said Akram.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan batter and fellow panellist Shoaib Malik agreed with Akram and said that Rohit consistently takes on all opposition bowlers. In the ongoing World Cup 2023, Rohit has amassed 503 runs in nine matches, maintaining an average of 55.88 and a strike rate of 121.49.
"He's a kind of batter who will hit all five opposition bowlers. The batters that Wasim Akram named, they target 3-4 bowlers but Rohit goes after all five," said Malik.
Rohit swiftly achieved a half-century against the Netherlands at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. During his fifty, he surpassed the previous record held by former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers, who had hit 58 sixes in a calendar year. Additionally, Rohit became the ODI World Cup captain with the most sixes, surpassing the record set by former England captain Eoin Morgan in 2019, who had hit 22 sixes.
Continuing his impressive form throughout the tournament, the Indian captain showcased aggressive batting against the Netherlands in Bengaluru. Both Rohit and Gill demonstrated excellent form, propelling India to a total of 91 runs in the first powerplay. Rohit reached his half-century in the 14th over but was later dismissed by Bas de Leede.
India went on to achieve a formidable total of 410 for 4 before restricting the Netherlands to 250 runs in 47.4 overs, securing a convincing 160-run victory. Their next challenge is a semi-final clash against New Zealand on November 15 in Mumbai.
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