IND vs ENG World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma anchored India’s innings with his free-flow batting vs England

Rohit Sharma’s batting approach in the ODI World Cup 2023 has been characterized by his usual aggression. However, in a crucial match against England, when the situation demanded, the Indian captain showcased a different facet of his game by playing a patient and anchor-like role. Rohit Sharma scored 87 runs off 111 balls, which included 10 fours and three sixes. While his strike rate of 86.13 might not reflect the hard work and pressure under which this innings was played, it is regarded as one of the grinding knocks of his career.

Rohit Sharma alongside KL Rahul crafted India’s innings

In a challenging situation where India lost three wickets for just 40 runs in under 12 overs, Rohit found a partner in KL Rahul. Together, they combined caution with aggression, forging a 91-run partnership off 111 balls to stabilize the Indian innings after a brilliant opening spell by David Willey and Chris Woakes had rocked them.

Rohit Sharma’s stats before WC

Before the England game, Rohit’s tournament statistics were impressive: 5 matches, 311 runs, 1 fifty, 1 hundred, a strike rate of 133.47, and an average of 62.20. While these stats are remarkable, it’s important to note his strike rate. In all five innings, Rohit played fearless cricket, prioritizing the team’s cause over individual milestones. After his gritty 87-run knock, his tournament strike rate dropped to 119.16.

Rohit Sharma plays anchoring innings

In Lucknow, Rohit adopted a different approach. When India faced adversity after losing their top three batsmen (Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer), he dug deep and countered the English bowlers. He focused on rotating the strike and, when opportunities arose, capitalizing on them. The Indian skipper exhibited solid technique and composure, emerging once again as India’s crisis man.

Although he looked set for a record-extending eighth World Cup century, Rohit was dismissed in the 37th over due to a brilliant piece of fielding by Liam Livingstone. While Livingstone hurt himself while taking a diving catch at deep midwicket off Adil Rashid’s bowling, Rohit’s wicket at that crucial juncture was even more painful for India. He fell short of his hundred by 13 runs but achieved significant milestones during this determined knock.

Rohit Sharma unlocks new milestone

Rohit notched his 54th ODI fifty and became the fifth Indian to cross 18,000 runs in international cricket. The “Hitman” also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar on the list of batters with the most World Cup runs (T20Is and ODIs). Additionally, he equaled Virat Kohli’s record of 12 fifty-plus scores in World Cup history, with both occupying the joint-second spot behind Tendulkar, who leads with an astonishing 21 such scores.