Visakhapatnam
India 205 for 5 (Rohit 92, Hazlewood 1-14) defeated Australia 181 for 7 (Head 76, Arshdeep 3-37, Kuldeep 2-24) by 24 runs
Rohit Sharma’s outstanding performance is the driving force behind India’s entry into the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals. His exceptional display of skill and commitment to an attacking game has been a consistent trait throughout his career. This remarkable effort may soon be rewarded with an ICC trophy in five days’ time.
On a sunny morning in St Lucia, Rohit’s captaincy and brilliant batting display, where he scored 76 of his 92 runs in boundaries, left Australia struggling to contain him. His aggressive approach put pressure on the opposition, leading to their downfall. India’s total of 205, setting new records, proved too challenging for Australia, despite Travis Head’s valiant effort of 76 runs. Although Australia lost by only 24 runs, their chances of reaching the semi-finals rely on Bangladesh defeating Afghanistan in a later match on Monday.
Rohit’s fearless approach and ability to capitalize on the opponent’s weaknesses were on full display during the match. Despite the early dismissal of his opening partner Virat Kohli, Rohit took charge and aggressively attacked Mitchell Starc, scoring 29 runs in an over. His rapid half-century, achieved at a record-low score of 52, showcased his exceptional talent and determination.
Pitch it up and get punished
Australia’s strategy played into Rohit’s strengths, especially with Starc consistently pitching the ball full. However, Hazlewood’s smart bowling by sticking to a length or just short of it, with occasional yorkers, restricted Rohit’s scoring opportunities. Despite this, Rohit capitalized on the deliveries, scoring majority of his runs with front-foot shots, including multiple boundaries and sixes.
