Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise for Indian opener Rohit Sharma as he smashed a well-paced 119 to help India chase down the 287-run target and win the third ODI against Australia at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.
The win also ensured Men in Blue clinched the series 2-1 after being 0-1 down.
Impressed with Rohit, Shoaib on his Youtube channel said: “When Rohit is on a song then he doesn’t care whether the ball is good or bad because he has so much of time, he has so much of elegance when he plays the shots. It (batting) comes very easy and naturally to him.”
Akhtar further stated that Rohit’s ability to uppercut fast deliveries reminds him of Sachin Tendulkar’s famous uppercut during India vs Pakistan match in Centurion in the 2003 World Cup. Sachin had then deposited Akhtar’s short pitch delivery for a six over third man.
“At a place like M Chinnaswamy, where it is conducive for batting, then Rohit Sharma becomes very ruthless. Usne maar maar ke bharta nikaal dia bowlers ka (He beat the bowlers to a pulp). He went after (Adam) Zampa, went after Mitchell Starc. The cut shot he hit was like the one Sachin (Tendulkar) hit me,” added Akhtar.
The series win over Australia also India retain their second position in the ODI team rankings. The top spot is currently with the world champions England.
