IND vs PAK: "Virat Kohli's Innings Was Brilliantly Paced" - Rohit Sharma Hails The Batter After Dominant Win Over Pakistan

India National Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma lavished praise on the batting maestro Virat Kohli for his heroics in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash against Pakistan National Cricket Team at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

After being invited to bat first, India were able to post a massive total of 356/2 on the board after Virat Kohli (122), KL Rahul (111), Shubman Gill (58) and Rohit Sharma (56) played stellar innings.

Defending the target, the pacers bagged the first three wickets before Kuldeep Yadav destroyed the Pakistan batting unit and reduced them to 128/8. Pakistan were handed a record-breaking 228-run defeat as Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah weren’t able to bat due to their respective injuries. This was India’s fourth biggest win ODIs in terms of runs.

Speaking during the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma hailed the efforts of ground staff for working hard day and night and making the field ready for the play despite the rain in the city. Rohit Sharma said:

“We just wanted to get out on the park, to get some game time. Lot of guys haven’t had that. That could only happen thanks to a great effort from the groundsmen. I know how tough it is to cover and remove covers from the whole ground. On behalf of the entire team, we would like to thank them.”

Looking at how we batted, there were lots of positives with the openers and then Virat and KL – Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, while talking about the batting performance of India, said that it was brilliant from the start. He said:

“(On batting) Fantastic performance, right from yesterday. When we started, we knew the wicket was good and we had to adjust with the rain, the two experienced (Kohli an Rahul) guys we knew they’d take time to get their eye in and then we can get going.”

Rohit Sharma also spoke about Jasprit Bumrah, who recently made his comeback to international cricket after a long injury layoff, and said that he bowled really well. Rohit Sharma said:

“(On Bumrah) Looked good, he swung it both ways and he’s worked really hard for the last 8-10 months. Bumrah is only 27, for him to miss games isn’t ideal but the way he bowled showed what he is all about.”

Rohit Sharma signed off by praising Virat Kohli for his brilliantly paced innings and KL Rahul for smashing a ton after getting to know about playing the match a few minutes before the toss. Rohit Sharma said:

“Looking at how we batted, there were lots of positives with the openers and then Virat and KL. Virat’s innings was brilliantly paced. And then KL, to get back from injury and then to know 5 minutes before the toss he’s playing, to play that way shows the mindset of the player.”