Former captain of South Africa, AB de Villiers, heaped praised Rohit Sharma’s batting prowess against high-quality opponents and believes that he can guide the Indian team to their third ODI World Cup championship in the ongoing marquee event.
The 36-year-old has been performing exceptionally well for the Men in Blue in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. He scored a brilliant century against Afghanistan in New Delhi before scoring an outstanding 86 runs against Pakistan in Ahmedabad and gave the Indian team some blistering starts against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Speaking on Rohit Sharma’s dream run in the ODI World Cup, Ab de Villiers hailed Rohit’s batting style and compared it to that of the great Australian batsman Matthew Hayden. Like Hayden, De Villiers feels that Rohit could take full control of the crease, hit the ball accurately and forcefully, intimidate bowlers, and be praised for giving India a quick start in the powerplay.
“He demands respect from the bowlers. He reminds me a bit of Matthew Hayden back in the day really just occupying the crease and hitting the ball hard and far and high,” he said.
“Very intimidating I would say for all teams for the rest of this World Cup. Rohit really giving India a great start and not only a great start a quick start. He’s been fantastic in this World Cup,” AB de Villiers said.
The Men in Blue has been clinical with their performance in the ODI World Cup after initial hiccups against the five-time champions Australia in a tricky chase in Chennai and the Rohit Sharma-led side are currently placed at the top of the points with five wins from the five games they played so far in the tournament.
Rohit Sharma Is Starting To Show That In Indian Colors Now – AB de Villiers
Ab de Villiers drew comparisons between Rohit Sharma’s leadership in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his captaincy with the Indian team, highlighting Rohit’s successful time leading the Mumbai Indians (MI) to five championship five tilts and expressing his belief that the Indian opener can guide India to the World Cup triumph this year.
“He’s been fantastic for the Mumbai Indians as Captain and he’s starting to show that in Indian colours now which is promising for the future in the near term for this world cup to lift that trophy,” AB de Villiers added.
India hasn’t won an ICC title in the last ten or so years. Many believe that the 2023 ODI World Cup will present them with their finest opportunity to win the title with renowned Indian skipper Rohit Sharma leading the team in front of home supporters and the Men in Blue have started the tournament on a bang and would look to continue their fine form going forward.