Aakash Chopra has lauded Rohit Sharma for playing an aggressive knock in India’s run chase in the second ODI against New Zealand.
The Men in Blue bowled out Tom Latham and Co. for 108 after asking them to bat first in Raipur on Saturday, January 21. Rohit Sharma then smoked a 50-ball 51 as the hosts chased down the target with eight wickets and 179 deliveries to spare to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Aakash Chopra Praised Aggressor Rohit Sharma After He Scored 51 As India Successfully Chased The Easy Target Of 109
India’s batters followed up a relentless performance from their pacers by chasing down a target of 109 in just over 20 overs with eight wickets to spare. Rohit Sharma scored 51 off 50 balls while Shubman Gill, who hit the winning runs, remained unbeaten on 40 off 53. India dismissed New Zealand for 108 with all six of their bowlers taking at least one wicket.
While reflecting on India’s chase in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Rohit Sharma, elaborating: “There was only one way New Zealand could have made a match of it, that you pick up wickets with the new ball, but nothing like that happened.
“Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma – Rohit Sharma was the aggressor. When Rohit plays like that, I feel like saying Ro Superhit Sharma, Mumbai cha raja, baja raha hai baja.”
Rohit Sharma was at his fluent best during his 51-run knock. He was trapped plumb in front of the wickets by Henry Shipley when it seemed the Indian skipper and Shubman Gill might chase down the target without being separated.
Aakash Chopra reckons the opener would have ended his long wait for an international century had the Kiwis set India a challenging target, saying: “The way he was batting, he would have definitely scored a century if they were chasing 250-300 because he scored 51 of the 72-run opening-wicket partnership. 51 runs off 50 balls – seven fours and two sixes.”
Tom Latham and Co. were bowled out for only 108 after being asked to bat first in the second ODI against India. The Men in Blue then chased down the target with eight wickets and almost 30 overs to spare to complete an emphatic win and seal the three-match series ahead of the final game in Indore.
Aakash Chopra: Virat Kohli’s Odd Failure Is Acceptable And Shubman Gill Should Be Praised For Supporting Rohit Sharma
Aakash Chopra feels a century might be around the corner for Virat Kohli after his cheap dismissals in the first two ODIs against the Black Caps. Virat Kohli scored 8 and 11 in the first two ODIs against New Zealand.
The former Indian opener said: “Kohli – interesting one again. He does not have consecutive twin failures but it happened. Santner dismissed him in the last match and here as well – bowled in the last match and stumped here. It means a Kohli century loading maybe in the next game. He has already scored 46, an odd failure is absolutely acceptable and allowed.”
The reputed commentator concluded by praising Gill for showing the willingness to play second fiddle to Rohit, stating: “Shubman Gill scored 200 in the last match and here he was absolutely okay to be the hero’s brother, remained unbeaten on 40 till the end. Ishan Kishan was there with him, who was unbeaten on eight, and India finished a one-sided match overall.”
Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 40 off 53 deliveries, a knock studded with six fours. He was mostly content to give Rohit Sharma the strike during their 72-run opening-wicket partnership. Pacer Mohammed Shami proved his worth yet again, destroying the opposition New Zealand’s top-order and was awarded Man of the Match for picking 3/18 in the 2nd ODI.
India 111 for 2 (Rohit 51, Gill 40*) beat New Zealand 108 (Phillips 36, Shami 3-18, Washington 2-7, Hardik 2-16) by eight wickets