Tag: Rohit Sharma

India opener Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from T20Is after leading his side to the World Cup triumph, broke silence on his plans for the longer formats.

Rohit, who took over India’s leadership reigns in all formats from Virat Kohli in 2021, led India to the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup 2022, World Test Championship (2023) and ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 before clinching the T20 World Cup 2024 title.

After India’s astonishing victory over South Africa in the nerve-wracking final, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20Is, following in the footsteps of star batter Virat Kohli.

The right-handed batter, however, did not share his plans for the ODIs and Tests but, two weeks after his T20I retirement, Sharma made it clear that he has no plans to retire from the longer formats yet.

“I just said it, I don’t look that far ahead. So clearly, you will be seeing me play for a while,” Rohit said at an event in the United States of America (USA).

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Rohit Sharma also recalled how India managed to defend the total in the final against South Africa, despite the Proteas, at one stage, needing 30 runs off as many deliveries.

“I was completely blank because I don’t think too far ahead. I focus on the situation. It was important for all of us to stay calm and execute our plans,” said Rohit.

“So when they needed 30 off 30, the pressure was on us and the five overs that we bowled then, it showed we did our job calmly, didn’t panic which was very good from our side,” he added.

Rohit Sharma, who made his T20I debut for India in 2007, represented the nation in 159 matches and accumulated 4231 runs at an average of 32.05 with the help of five centuries and 32 fifties.

Notably, Rohit’s tally of 4231 runs is the highest by any player in Men’s T20Is to date. He also has the most number of centuries to his name in the shortest international format.

READ: Former India cricketer challenges Pakistan over Champions Trophy hosting

India captain Rohit Sharma wrote a heartfelt note, paying tribute to the outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid after they led the country to their second T20 World Cup title.

The successful partnership of Sharma-Dravid steered India to play finals in all three formats — the World Test Championship in 2023, the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The T20 World Cup-winning captain took to his Instagram account and penned down an emotional post, expressing his gratitude and honour for being able to work with the legendary batter.

“Dear Rahul bhai, I have been trying to find the right words to properly express my feelings on this but I’m not sure I ever will so here’s my attempt,” Sharma posted.

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“Since my childhood days I have looked up to you just like billions of others but I was lucky enough to get to work with you this closely. You are an absolute stalwart of this game but you left all of your accolades and achievements at the door and walked in as our coach and came on a level where we all felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to you.

“That is your gift, your humility and your love for this game even after all this time. I have learnt so much from you and every memory will be cherished. My wife refers to you as my work wife and I’m lucky to get to call you that too,” Rohit captioned the post.

“This was the only thing missing from your arsenal and I’m so happy that we got to achieve it together. Rahul bhai it has been an absolute privilege to get to call you my confidant, my coach and my friend.”

 

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Rohit Sharma had previously unsuccessfully tried to convince Rahul Dravid to stay on as head coach before the T20 World Cup.

“I’ve enjoyed every bit of it, working with him,” Sharma told reporters before their opening game against Ireland.

“I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well.”

Meanwhile, the right-handed batter along with star batter Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have announced retirement from the T20I cricket following their World Cup victory.

READ: David Warner ‘open’ to playing Champions Trophy 2025 ‘if selected’

Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that Rohit Sharma will lead India in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and World Test Championship after he ended his T20I career with a T20 World Cup triumph.

The top-order batter led India to their second T20 World Cup title last month, ending the cricket-mad nation’s global trophy drought since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Rohit Sharma, along with star batter Virat Kohli, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20I cricket after the win over South Africa in the final in Barbados.

It was also the last match for outgoing coach Rahul Dravid.

“After this victory, the next stage is the 2025 WTC (World Test Championship) final and the Champions Trophy,” Jay Shah said in a video message.

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“I am truly confident that we will win both the tournaments under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.”

Jay Shah praised the trio of veteran players, as well as Dravid. “This was our third final in the last one year,” Shah said, referring to the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship.

The ODI Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in February and March 2025 in Pakistan, while the World Test Championship cycle will end in June 2025 with the final at Lord’s in London.

India have twice finished runners-up in the Test championship, losing the final to Australia last year. Moreover, they also lost the ODI World Cup final to Australia at home in 2023.

Rohit Sharma took over the captaincy of the white-ball team in 2021 and became the all-format leader a year later.

READ: Arshad Nadeem expresses satisfaction over fourth place finish in Diamond League

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has criticised the national team’s white-ball captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan for their batting approach in T20I cricket.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been a mainstay of Pakistan’s top order in the shorter format, however, they often criticised for their strike rates, especially in the powerplay

Rashid Latif, while talking on his YouTube channel, urged Babar and Rizwan to follow the examples of Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, who recently guided their team to the T20 World Cup glory.

“I would give examples of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to show how they changed themselves. Rohit has changed himself 190 degrees; change is possible because he has become a role model. His IPL strike rate used to be 130-140, but this year it went up to 160. He changed himself. Virat Kohli did the same thing. If these two batters can change, then anyone can,” stated Latif.

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The former captain suggested that Pakistan batters should be given a specific time period to change their batting approach, otherwise they should be dropped.

“I would give Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan 5 matches to change their batting approach in T20Is, and if they won’t, then there should be no place in the team for them,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that the Babar Azam-led Pakistan team were knocked out from the group stage of the T20 World Cup, majorly because of their upset defeat against the USA, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats had put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament while the abandonment of the crucial group-stage fixture between the USA and Ireland officially marked the end of their campaign in T20 World Cup 2024.

READ: PCB chairman opens up on Babar Azam’s future as captain

BARBADOS: India’s all-format captain Rohit Sharma followed in Virat Kohli’s footsteps and announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after leading India to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 glory.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after India edged past South Africa by seven runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 final to end their 11-year ICC title drought, Rohit revealed it was his last appearance for India in the shortest format but will continue in ODIs and Tests.

“No better time to say goodbye,” Rohit said.

“This was my last game as well. I’ve enjoyed since the time I started playing this format. I’ve loved every moment of this. This is what I wanted – I wanted to win the cup,” added Rohit.

Rohit, who made his T20I debut for India in 2007, represented the nation in 159 matches and accumulated 4231 runs at an average of 32.05 with the help of five centuries and 32 fifties.

Notably, Rohit’s tally of 4231 runs is the highest by any player in Men’s T20Is to date. He also has the most number of centuries to his name in the shortest international format.

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For the unversed, Rohit Sharma’s retirement came briefly after India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli hung up his boots from the T20Is.

“This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

“One day you feel you can’t get a run, and then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered. Now or never, the last T20 for India wanted to make the most of it.

“Wanted to lift the cup, and respect the situation rather than force it. This was an open secret, it’s time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high.”

READ: Virat Kohli retires from T20Is after India win T20 World Cup 2024

India captain Rohit Sharma commented on the ongoing rough patch of star batter Virat Kohli ahead of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, scheduled to take place at Kensington Oval, Barbados on June 29.

Kohli has been far from his best in the ongoing tournament and managed to make it into the double digits only once in seven innings.

The right-handed batter, who opened the innings in T20Is only once before the commencement of the T20 World Cup 2024, scored just 75 runs in seven innings at a dismal average of 10.7.

Virat Kohli’s scores in T20 World Cup 2024

1 (5) vs Ireland – 5th June, 2024
4 (3) vs Pakistan – 9th June, 2024
0 (1) vs USA – 12th June, 2024
24 (24) vs Afghanistan – 20th June, 2024
37 (28) vs Bangladesh – 22th June, 2024
0 (5) vs Australia – 24th June, 2024
9 (9) vs England – 27th June, 2024

However, India captain Rohit Sharma is unfazed by Virat Kohli’s poor form and shared his optimism that the latter is saving his best for the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa.

“He’s a quality player. Any player can go through that. We do understand his class and his importance in all these big games. Form is never a problem because when you’ve played cricket for 15 years, it isn’t a problem,” Rohit said following India’s semi-final win over England.

“He is looking good, the intent is there. He’s probably saving for the finals,” he added.

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India and South Africa will lock horns in the high-voltage T20 World Cup 2024 final at Kensington Oval, Barbados on June 29.

Both teams are unbeaten in the ongoing mega event as South Africa won all their eight matches while India won seven as one of their group-stage fixtures against Canada was abandoned without a ball bowled.

READ: AB de Villiers predicts T20 World Cup 2024 winner

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq gave India skipper Rohit Sharma a befitting response in the wake of an ongoing reverse-swing debate.

Pakistan’s batting great earlier questioned Indian pacers’ ability to reverse the ball early, citing the example of Arshdeep Singh bowling the 15th over against Australia in the Super Eights of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

In response, the Indian captain indirectly told the Pakistan great to use his brain before going on to explain the factors causing the ball to reverse.

“What answer will I give? If you are playing under the sun and the wickets are this dry, the ball will reverse on its own. The ball is reversing for all teams. Not just for us,” stated Rohit.

“Sometimes, it’s important to open your mind (use your brain). You have to understand where we are playing. We are not playing in England or Australia,” he added.

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But the debate continued as Inzamam-ul-Haq responded to Rohit Sharma’s “use your brain” remarks, stating “don’t teach something to someone who actually taught it to the world”.

“We shall definitely use our brains but the first thing is that he (Rohit) admitted that it’s happening. So it means what we observed is correct.

“Secondly, Rohit does not need to tell us how reverse swing works, under how much sun, on what pitch; you don’t teach something to someone who actually taught it to the world. Tell him it’s not right to say these things.

“I had only given suggestions to the umpires, that keep your eyes open since the ball was moving around in the 15th over, and I still maintain my stance. I would again say to them ‘Keep your eyes open’. What’s happening? If the umpires too use their brain, it will be better for everyone involved.”

READ: Rohit advises teammates ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 final

India captain Rohit Sharma urged his teammates to keep it simple in their upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa.

The inaugural champions are set to lock horns with South Africa, playing their first-ever final, in a bid to lift the glittering title for the second time.

Meanwhile, India captain Rohit acknowledged the importance of the high-stakes match against South Africa but insisted his team to enter the clash with the same mindset they used at the event thus far.

“We’ve been very calm as a team,” Rohit said after India’s semi-final victory over England.

“We do understand the occasion (in the final), but for us, it’s important to keep calm and composed.

“That helps us make good decisions. We need to make good decisions through the 40 overs. In this game too, we were steady and calm, and didn’t panic too much. That has been the key for us. Yes, we do understand the occasion is important, but we need to play good cricket as well.”

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Rohit Sharma led his side from the front in the blockbuster T20 World Cup 2024 final against defending champions England as he top-scored with a well-crafted half-century at the top of the order, followed by Suryakumar Yadav’s handy contribution with a brisk 47, leading India to 171/7.

Chasing a daunting 178-run total, England were never in the run chase with India’s spinners doing most of the demolition as Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja shared six wickets between them.

“They are gun spinners,” said Rohit.

“When conditions are like that in front of them, it’s very difficult to play some shots. Yes, the pressure is on them to execute those balls, but they were very calm and knew what to bowl. We had a chat after the first innings: the plan was to hit the stumps as much as possible and keep the stumps in play and that’s what they did.”

READ: Rain threat looms large over T20 World Cup 2024 final

India’s all-format captain Rohit Sharma responded to former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq’s statement regarding India’s pacers’ premature reverse swing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 fixture against Australia.

Rohit, at a press conference, ahead of India’s semi-final against England, asked critics to “open your mind” and understand “where we are playing”.

“What answer will I give? If you are playing under the sun and the wickets are this dry, the ball will reverse on its own. The ball is reversing for all teams. Not just for us,” stated Rohit.

“Sometimes, it’s important to open your mind (use your brain). You have to understand where we are playing. We are not playing in England or Australia,” Rohit Sharma added.

Earlier, Pakistan’s legendary batter Inzamam-ul-Haq questioned Indian pacers’ ability to reverse the ball early, citing the example of Arshdeep Singh bowling the 15th over.

“Arshdeep Singh when he was bowling the 15th over, the ball was reversing. is it too early [for reverse swing] with the new ball? This means the ball was ready for reverse swing by the 12th or the 13th over, Umpires should keep their eyes open [to spot] these things,” stated Inzamam on a local news channel.

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“If it was Pakistani bowlers [reverse swinging the ball] this would have been a big issue. We know reverse swing very well and if Arshdeep can come in the 15th over and start reversing the ball, it means some serious work had been done before,” he added.

Inzamam-ul-Haq gave leverage to Jasprit Bumrah, considering his unorthodox bowling action, but reiterated that the ball had to be in “perfect condition” for the other bowlers.

“Because for reverse swing … look Bumrah can do it, because of his action; but for some bowlers – their action and their speed, the ball has to be in that perfection condition and prepared well [to reverse]. It could be that the wicket was hard and rough, that could be the reason [for the ball getting scuffed up on one side], but these things have to be noticed.”

READ: ‘No history in semi-finals makes Afghanistan dangerous’: Jonathan Trott

GROS ISLET: India captain Rohit Sharma became the first batter to hit 200 sixes in T20I cricket during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight clash against Australia here at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Sharma played a dominant knock against Australia, scoring a swashbuckling 41-ball 92, peppered with seven fours and eight sixes.

The right-handed batter, who holds the record for most sixes in T20I cricket, extended his lead and became the first batter to cross the 200-sixes landmark.

He now leads the list with 203 sixes, followed by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill with 173 sixes.

Batters with most sixes in men’s T20Is

Rohit Sharma – 203 in 150 innings
Martin Guptill – 173 in 118 innings
Jos Buttler – 137 in 113 innings
Glenn Maxwell – 133 in 103 innings
Nicholas Pooran – 132 in in 87 innings

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Meanwhile, Sharma also became the batter with the second-most sixes in T20 World Cups with 48 sixes, only behind West Indies legend Chris Gayle (63).

Under Sharma’s leadership, India qualified for the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating Australia by 24 runs.

Chasing a daunting 206-run total, Australia could accumulate 181/7 in their quota of 20 overs despite Travis Head’s half-century. Head remained the top-scorer for Australia with 76 off 43 deliveries, hitting nine fours and four sixes.

READ: Virat Kohli bags unwanted T20 World Cup record with duck against Australia