Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli Reminded Me Of Sachin Tendulkar-Virender Sehwag: Michael Vaughan
Updated - 22 Mar 2021, 01:38 PM
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has opened up on India’s opening partnership in the fifth T20I that created havoc on England’s bowling attack. With KL Rahul being short of runs, Virat Kohli decided to promote himself up the batting order, opening with Rohit Sharma. Michael Vaughan underlined that the pair reminded him of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag – both of who forged a fearsome opening duo in their heydays.
Virat Kohli’s decision to promote himself for the decider was the masterstroke as he and Rohit Sharma forged a 94-run opening stand. After Rohit Sharma’s 34-ball 64, the Indian captain started opening up a lot more and shared two other crucial partnerships with Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Kohli stayed unbeaten on 80, lifting India to 224 in 20 overs. For his 231 runs in five matches, he also earned the man of the series award.
Michael Vaughan reckoned that India’s snap decision to open with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma yielded them with unprecedented success. The 46-year old observed that it reminded him of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. Vaughan pointed out India needed Virat and Rohit to face the maximum balls since the rest of the batsmen could play freely, knowing that the Indian captain will play solidly.
“Sometimes you just need a little bit of luck and stumble across the right batting order. India have done that with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opening. I’m sure that was not their intention at the start of the series. But today they reminded me of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. In a T20 innings you have 120 balls to spread across your players so if you are India then you want Virat and Rohit to face the maximum amount. The rest of the Indian line up can go for it because they know Virat will play in such a solid way,” Vaughan told Telegraph.co.uk.
India learned from the fourth game when Kohli came in and there was not enough time left: Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan labelled Virat Kohli’s 80 off 52 deliveries was the perfect T20 knock and pointed out that others made 135 in 68 balls. The Ashes-winning captain said that India learned from the fourth T20 as there was not enough time left when the 32-year old came out to bat.
“The other three batsmen around Virat today scored 135 runs in 68 balls. He scored 80 off 52 so it was the perfect T20 innings. India learned from the fourth game when Kohli came in and there was not enough time left in the innings,” he added.
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India vs England 2021 Michael Vaughan Rohit Sharma Sachin Tendulkar Virat Kohli Virender Sehwag
