5 underrated knocks of Rohit Sharma in limited-overs cricket

Rohit Sharma has had a fabulous time in 2018 in limited overs format both as a batsman and as captain. In 19 ODI innings, Rohit scored 1030 runs at an impeccable average of 73.57 and at a strike rate of 100.10. This includes 3 half-centuries and 5 centuries, out of which 3 tons are away from home and all of them ended up in winning cause. Whereas in T20I format, Rohit Sharma has scored 560 runs in 16 innings which includes 3 half-centuries and 2 hundreds.

His glorious batting form has rubbed well onto his captaincy as well as India won the Nidahas Trophy, Asia cup and whitewashed the West Indies in the recently concluded T20I series at home. In 9 T20I’s as captain, India won 8 games. In 5 ODI games as captain, India won all the 5 games. This performance has fetched him a spot in the Test Squad for the tour to Australia that begins in December.

Rohit Sharma has improved vastly as a batsman over the years. From being criticized as a player not performing up to his potential to a player considered as a modern day great speaks volumes about Rohit Sharma career graph. In this article, we look at 5 underrated knocks of Rohit Sharma in Limited overs cricket.

#1 30* of 16 balls vs Pakistan at Johannesburg (2007 T20 World Cup Final)

The stage was set for the final between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the Inaugural T20 World cup that was played in 2007. Electing to bat first, India had Gautam Gambhir holding up one end, while wickets kept tumbling at the other end. With Gautam Gambhir dismissed for 75 in the 18th over, it looked like India would end up at 140, but it was Rohit Sharma who changed the course of the match in the last 2 overs of the Indian innings.

Rohit Sharma struck 2 boundaries and a six in his 16-ball 30* that helped India reach a fighting total of 157/5 in the 20 overs. His quick fire 30 made an eventual difference of 10-15 runs to the final total.

India won the game by 5 runs and went on to become the champions of Inaugural T20 World Cup. While many didn’t credit Rohit Sharma, it was his knock that made all the difference.

#2 66 vs Australia at Sydney (2008 CB Series 1st Final)

This was during the early phase of Rohit Sharma’s ODI career when he was new to the arena. The venue was Sydney and it was the 1st of 3 finals between Australia and India. Electing to bat first, India put up a decent score of 239/8 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, India were in a spot of bother at 3-87 in 18.5 overs.

In walked Rohit Sharma to accompany Sachin Tendulkar, who was anchoring the chase. Rohit started the innings cautiously and supported Sachin at the other end. While Sachin took on the Australian bowlers, Rohit kept the scoreboard ticking. As he was settled, he opened up and started attacking the bowlers. Sachin scored a century, while Rohit Sharma scored 66 of 87 deliveries that had 6 boundaries.

Rohit’s knock took the pressure of Sachin and stopped the flow of wickets. India chased the target with more than 4 overs to spare and 6 wickets in hand.

The Man of the Match went to Sachin Tendulkar for his unbeaten 117.

#3 86* vs West Indies at Antigua 2011

Probably this has to be regarded as one of the most underrated and forgotten innings of Rohit Sharma in his ODI career. This was the 3rd ODI between West Indies and India, played at Antigua in the year of 2011. Put into bat first, West Indies were rooted to 7-96, until Andre Russell unleashed his power to propel West Indies to a competitive score of 225/8 in the 50 overs.

West Indies kept taking wickets at regular intervals and India were struggling at 92-6 in 22.2 overs. Rohit Sharma, who was batting at 5 found support in the form of Harbhajan Singh who aided Rohit in the run chase. Rohit kept the scoreboard ticking and struck boundaries at regular intervals.

The pair of Rohit Sharma and Harbhajan Singh added 88 runs for the 7th wicket with Rohit Sharma doing the bulk of the scoring. Despite losing Harbhajan Singh, India still needed 46 runs to win. Rohit showed his calm composure as he remained not out on 86 and India chased the target of 226 with 3 wickets and 22 balls to spare.

#4 138 vs Australia at MCG (Carlton Mid ODI Series 2015)

This was the second ODI of the tri-series between Australia, India and England that was held in Australia just before the 2015 World Cup. Electing to bat first, India had a bad start losing Shikhar Dhawan in the very first over. Rohit Sharma took the onus on himself and occupied the crease against the potent bowling of the Australians.

With wickets falling at the other end,, Rohit Sharma kept scoring at a good pace and him along with Suresh Raina stitched together a good partnership. In the middle stages of the innings, Rohit upped the ante by taking on the likes of Gurinder Sandhu and James Faulkner. Rohit reached his century in the 37th over of the Indian innings.

He ran out of partners in the latter half of innings, which dented his innings to some extent. In the end, he was dismissed for 138 of the bowling of Mitchell Starc in the 49th over and India put up 267/8 in there 50 overs.

The score wasn’t enough as Australia raced home with an over spare. Rohit Sharma’s innings though ended up on a losing note, it would be remembered for his grit and determination to survive and anchor the innings in the toughest of situations.

#5 150 vs South Africa at Kanpur 2015

This was the 1st of the 5 match ODI series between India and South Africa that was played in India. Electing to bat first, South Africa put up a daunting task of 303 in there 50 overs, thanks to a brilliant ton by AB de Villiers.

India started off the chase pretty well with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma scoring at nearly 6 per over. While Shikhar was dismissed in the 8th over, Rohit found an able partner in Ajinkya Rahane as both the batsmen scored runs at fair clip.

Rohit displayed his class as he smashed the likes of Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir all over the green park stadium in Kanpur. He brought up his century of just 98 deliveries in the 36th over. It was a fluent knock as he hardly looked in any trouble.

Rohit continued his good form and brought up his 150 in the 46th over and India were looking in a comfortable position to win the game. However, Rohit was dismissed in the 47th over off the bowling of Imran Tahir as he handed over a simple return catch to the bowler. This dismissal swung the game into the hands of the South Africans as India struggled to score boundaries in the final few overs.

With 11 required of last over and 5 wickets in hand, M.S Dhoni couldn’t take India home and India fell short by 5 runs.

Rohit’s 150 is considered as one of the most fluent innings of his career as he looked unfazed throughout the innings but unfortunately, it ended up on a losing note.