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Rohit Sharma has been in exceptional form during the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, notching up three half-centuries against Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In the Super 4 stage clash against Sri Lanka, the right-hander achieved a monumental milestone in the history of ODIs. He joined an illustrious club of cricketers, becoming the sixth Indian to amass 10,000 runs in ODIs.
What’s even more remarkable is that he accomplished this feat at a pace second only to Virat Kohli, outpacing cricketing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, MS Dhoni, and India’s current coach, Rahul Dravid.
Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers highly praised Rohit , highlighting his remarkable journey in ODIs. He applauded the Indian skipper’s phenomenal comeback from the fourth slowest to reach 2,000 runs to become the second fastest to 10,000.
“Rohit was fourth slowest to 2000 runs, but the second fastest to 10000. How’s that for a comeback. I have a lot of respect for him,” ABD said on his YouTube channel.
Also READ: Gautam Gambhir sheds light on MS Dhoni’s influence in Rohit Sharma’s rise
‘He would not back down to anyone’: De Villiers on Rohit Sharma
The former South African skipper reminisced about the first time he watched Rohit playing and praised his indomitable fighting spirit on the field.
“The first time I watched him play, I thought this guy has got something special to offer. What I like most about him – from a very young age, he’s always had a fighting spirit. He would not back down to anyone,” he mentioned.
De Villiers also recalled a memorable incident from a Test match in Durban where the right hander displayed his courage by standing up to the formidable pace duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
“I think of a Test match in Durban where he just wouldn’t stand back to Dale Steyn or Morne Morkel or any of our fast bowlers. He would make eye contact. If anyone chirped him. He would be right in their face, chest out. I always liked that.” the Pretoria-born added.
De Villiers heapes praises on Rohit-Gill duo
The 39-year-old also lauded the partnership between Shubman Gill and Rohit, acknowledging them as a formidable opening combination that poses a significant threat to the opposition. The duo became the fastest Indian pair to reach the milestone of 1000 partnership runs, accomplishing this feat in just 13 innings.
“Very interestingly, he has had an incredible partnership with Shubman Gill. Two fighters at the crease is always a dangerous thing for the opposition. As an opening pair, they are averaging 87-odd (95) with a strike rate of 110. If they can do that for India in the World Cup,” De Villiers added further.
