On Sunday Ian Chappell, former Australia captain said that Indian Rohit Sharma’s game-winning innings of 137 runs against Bangladesh in the International Cricket Council World Cup quarter-final reminded him of Sri Lankan batting legend Aravinda de Silva.
Chappell wrote that throughout his glorious innings, he was reminded of the discipline demonstrated by Aravinda de Silva in the 1996 International Cricket Council World Cup final. Aravinda scored a ton of class and determined to help his side win the International Cricket Council World Cup, and although he opposed himself any expansive shots, he still hit at a run rate near 90.
He said of the Indian right-hander that it was one of the great innings of self-prudence played by a batsman who could be spendthrift, bordering on reckless at times. The 71 years old applauded opening batsman Rohit for playing a disciplined innings and not hitting a reckless uppish shot during his stay at the wicket that so often brings one of his glorious innings to an untimely halt.
Ian who had played 75 Tests and 16 One Day Internationals for Australia team, added that Rohit was every bit disciplined, and mostly challenged himself the signature lofted shots into the stands or the reckless uppish shot through the infield that so often bring one of his marvelous innings to a untimely halt. Ian, also came up in admiration for Suresh Raina for playing a supportive character at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He added that as much as Rohit was the superstar and Suresh Raina was good who played a strong supporting character.
He also applauded Indian bowling attack which took 70 wickets in 7 successive World Cup matches to silence critics after a disastrous Test and One Day International Tri-Series Down Under. He concluded saying that 6 weeks ago someone would not have dreamed the Indians would claim all 70 wickets in their first 7 World Cup games.