Indian captain Rohit Sharma made quick work of the run chase in the eight-wicket thumping of the Black Caps at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Saturday as India took the offensive in the series finale against New Zealand. In the second One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against New Zealand, veteran opener Rohit blasted his 48th half-century. Irfan Pathan, a former Indian all-rounder, gave the older batter high accolades for his game-winning strike.
After India crushed New Zealand in the low-scoring match to grab a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the ex-cricketer and full-time cricket pundit discussed Rohit’s knock. Pathan, who was all love for the Indian batsman, also noted that in the just finished 2nd ODI between Team India and New Zealand, the Indian skipper made just one error.
Pathan told Star Sports, “I am repeatedly saying that you shouldn’t worry too much about Rohit Sharma’s form at all. This was his first half-century while chasing New Zealand and it came at the right time. He made only one mistake when the ball hit his pads, there was an lbw appeal, they wanted to take the DRS but didn’t take it. But other than that, he looked in complete control, we saw amazing shots, on the up on the offside, and the leg side.”
Team India’s opener Rohit ended up scoring the most runs, as his 50-ball 51-run innings helped the home team defeat New Zealand by eight wickets at Raipur. Former all-rounder Pathan, who was pleased to witness Rohit score a stunning half-century against the top-ranked New Zealand team at Raipur, has also supported the India captain to set enormous batting records in the following games.
Pathan added, “The conditions were not easy, they were slightly difficult. The ball was moving a little under the lights. The scoreboard pressure was not there but he had to go close to a half-century. That milestone has come and if he gets an opportunity going forward, he will make the milestone even bigger because he is batting extremely well. The problem is that when you are chasing a low score, you try to hit the first ball. That was not the case. He respected the conditions and then played his favorite shots once he got set.”
