IND vs PAK: "Rohit Sharma Has Plenty Of Time When He Is Batting" - Anil Kumble Lauds Indian Skipper For 131-Run Knock

Former Team India head coach Anil Kumble praised Rohit Sharma’s extraordinary batting skills during the match against Afghanistan in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Anil Kumble emphasized that Rohit Sharma has the ability to shift gears effortlessly while batting.

Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match for his brilliant batting efforts in Delhi on Wednesday, October 11. He scored 131 runs from just 84 deliveries, including 16 boundaries and five sixes. He helped the team chase down the target with 15 overs to spare.

Rohit Sharma Hits It All Across The Boundary – Anil Kumble

In a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Anil Kumble highlighted Rohit Sharma‘s wide range of shots, which he executes comfortably all around the boundary.

“His shifting of gears is pretty smooth. So you can’t even feel it. He has plenty of time when he is batting. It’s not just that he hits it in one area. He hits it all across the boundary,” Anil Kumble told ESPNCricinfo.

“Extra cover, straight mid-wicket, and if someone bowls short, then he’s had it as well. So he has a range of shots, and he’s very comfortable doing it. Like Dale mentioned, just over the top comes naturally to him. This was a perfect wicket, beautiful surface and small boundaries. So it’s a bolwer’s night mare,” he added.

Rohit Sharma provided an aggressive start for the team in the run chase, reaching his half-century in just 30 balls. The right-handed batter completed his 31st ODI century in just 63 deliveries, recording the fastest ODI century by an Indian in World Cup history.

Jasprit Bumrah Troubled Afghanistan Batter On The Flat Pitch

Earlier, Afghanistan put up a total of 272/8 after the option to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. They lost three wickets for just 63 runs in 13.1 overs. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai (62) provided crucial contributions in the middle order.

Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for India, as he claimed four wickets for just 39 runs in his 10 overs. The pacer took wickets at regular intervals and was economical on the flat pitch. Mohammed Siraj struggled to make an impact, conceding 76 runs in nine overs.

Also read: IND vs PAK: Sunil Gavaskar Lauds Rohit Sharma’s Century With Aggressive Approach Against Afghanistan In ICC World Cup 2023