It has undoubtedly been the tournament of opening batsmen. From Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a classy hundred to blunt the Australian attack to David Warner and Aaron Finch stamping their authority, they have shown how a solid foundation can win a lot of games. Despite this, Rohit Sharma remains in a league of his own. Former Indian opener Krishanamachari Srikkanth hailed Sharma and his approach in building up an innings.
The 32-year-old became the first Indian batsman to score four centuries in World Cup and levelled with the Sri Lankan left-hander Kumar Sangakkara by achieving the feat. His breezy hundred also made him the leading run-scorer in the ongoing tournament. The Mumbai batsman punished Bangladesh for giving him a lease of life when Tamim Iqbal dropped him on nine.
Rohit Sharma has been in sublime form.
Kris Srikkanth was thoroughly impressed by how Rohit Sharma builds an innings, conceding that he exactly knows when to attack and when to be defensive. He said that opening the innings in a World Cup game is very important and Rohit has thrived on the responsibility brilliantly, with his determination and willpower.
“You cannot ask anything more from an opening batsman. Rohit knows when to attack and when to build an innings more conservatively. The determination and willpower is incredible. Opening in a World Cup is so important, and he has taken on the responsibility when the team needed it,” he said as quoted by the Times of India.”
The former chairman of the selection committee also pointed out the difference between the innings played against Bangladesh and South Africa. They are contrasting to the knock against South Africa, where after the departure of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit needed to apply himself and hang in there to complete the chase. While in the hundred against Bangladesh, he was aggressive from the get-go.
“In this game, he was aggressive from the start, and his 104 gave India the momentum early on. Contrast that with that hundred he scored against South Africa in the first game, two completely different innings, but equally as important. The way he has stepped up since Shikhar Dhawan’s injury is crucial for India,” he further added.
Rohit Sharma has been in sublime form in the World Cup as he has scored 544 runs in the tournament. The right-hander has will aim to continue his good form going forward in the matches to come.