"Jaan Churana Nehi, Jaan Nikalta Hai Woh Bowler Ki" - Sohail Khan Says He Was Scared Of Rohit Sharma During 2015 ODI World Cup

Published - 05 Feb 2023, 04:29 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Rohit Sharma (Image Credits: Twitter)

Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan has admitted that Rohit Sharma’s dismissal was the toughest against India in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015. The right-arm pacer took five wickets against India in the World Cup, including Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, and Suresh Raina, as well as Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.

The 38-year-old dismissed Rohit Sharma for just 15 runs off 20 balls in the eighth over of the innings during the World Cup match between India and Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval on February 15, 2015. India won the match by 76 runs against the arch-rivals in the group match of the marquee event.

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He Plays The Shots Very Late And Is Very Technical – Sohail Khan

Speaking on Nadir Ali’s YouTube channel, Sohail Khan said that it was not easy to bowl to Rohit Sharma because of his ability to play the ball late and his technical skills. Sohail said that if Rohit had survived his new ball spell, he could have completed the double century.

“My plan was that, because I bowl with the new ball and the first batter that came to crease was Rohit Sharma, if I can dismiss him…because he plays the shots very late and is very technical. Jaan churana nehi, jaan nikalta hai woh bowler ki (He wasn’t the kind of batter who gets rid of bowlers, but rather saps the bowler’s life out),” Sohail Khan said.

“He has all the time in the world. Even if you bowl at 150kmph, he will still hit you for a six in the same fashion as he would do against a 120kmph delivery. He was the only player who I was scared of. If he manages to stay, he won’t score a century, he will go for a 200. Good, I dismissed if then itself,” he added.

Sohail Khan made his international debut for Pakistan in January 2008 against Zimbabwe. He has represented the Men in Green in 9 Tests, 13 ODIs, and 5 T20Is. He last played an international match against the World XI in 2017. His bowling figures of 5 for 55 runs against India remain his best ODI performance.

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