(AFP Photo)
Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 52 against Ireland. Pakistan surely observed this performance and must approach their upcoming encounter with caution, as they ought to.
Following a remarkable beginning to IPL 2024, Rohit Sharma experienced a dip in form during the middle phase of the tournament. After amassing 297 runs from seven innings, he managed only 52 in the subsequent six matches. Perhaps his decline was influenced by a dwindling motivation, especially with the Mumbai Indians struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive. As the T20 World Cup loomed closer, the franchise’s ousted captain evidently faced a challenging spell.
Rohit Sharma bounced back from his disappointing slump with a remarkable 38-ball 68 in what could potentially be his last innings for MI. Considering Rohit’s strong emphasis on leading by example, this innings served as a significant morale boost in his final competitive appearance before the World Cup. While he wouldn’t have been lacking in confidence even with another low score, carrying positive momentum into a major event is always advantageous.
At the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, Rohit Sharma continued his recent good form, following up his 23 in the warm-up game against Bangladesh last Saturday with an impressive half-century against Ireland. Leading the batting charge, Rohit played a pivotal role in his team’s comprehensive eight-wicket victory. His innings stood out for several reasons, particularly with the crucial match against Pakistan looming on Sunday. It served as a masterclass in navigating through challenging phases on a tricky pitch, demonstrating patience and skill in capitalizing on loose deliveries, regardless of the opposition’s bowling experience. Admittedly, Ireland’s bowling attack may not be the most seasoned, but Rohit’s performance showcased his ability to adapt and excel in varying conditions.
Describing the drop-in pitch as “tricky” might be an understatement considering the extreme challenges it posed for batting. Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower even went as far as to label it “dangerous,” a sentiment that’s hard to dispute. Throughout the match, the ball seemed to have a mind of its own, exhibiting significant lateral movement regardless of its age, whether fresh or 15 overs old. While some degree of lateral movement is expected and even welcomed, the unpredictable nature of the pitch, coupled with uneven bounce, turned batting into a gamble. Batters faced stark contrasts in the trajectory of deliveries from the same spot, making it akin to a lottery.
Several deliveries from a good length leaped unexpectedly, catching batters off guard and striking them on their knuckles. Additionally, some balls skidded through upon pitching, posing challenges for both sets of wicketkeepers. Among those who struggled immensely was Harry Tector, the Irish No. 4, who found it difficult to score runs. He endured a particularly agonizing inning, being hit painfully on his right thumb at least once by deliveries that unexpectedly gained height. Even the ball that led to his dismissal, bowled by Player of the Match Jasprit Bumrah, rose suddenly, thwarting his attempted pull shot, striking his glove, grazing his helmet, and looping to Virat Kohli, who made the catch while running in from cover.
From his position at mid-off, it’s improbable that Rohit Sharma didn’t take note of the challenging conditions. He experienced firsthand the unpredictability of the pitch during India’s pursuit of a modest target of 97 against Mark Adair. In the first over, he could have been dismissed for just two runs, as his hopeful stroke narrowly escaped the grasp of Andy Balbirnie at second slip.
Rohit Sharma managed to overcome the early challenges, acknowledging that he possessed both the expertise and skill to score swiftly without overreaching or taking unnecessary risks. The essential aspect of batting on such a surface is adaptability and putting aside personal ego. Adopting a mindset of “I will show you” is counterproductive, regardless of one’s reputation as a batsman. Rohit recognized this early on and, while he attempted to execute a few shots, he always remained within the boundaries of calculated risk-taking, even if he occasionally missed the mark.
Rohit remained assertive, seizing the opportunities presented to him without retreating too much into a defensive stance. He particularly targeted left-arm paceman Josh Little, capitalizing on his deliveries. Rohit lofted a full toss over long-on for a six, elegantly drove a full ball outside off over point for four, and then swiftly responded with aggressive strokes when Little bowled short twice in succession during his third spell. Rohit pulled the first delivery over square-leg and dispatched the next finer, over long-leg, showcasing his trademark pull shot. Crossing the fifty-run mark with a powerful shot through mid-wicket off an Adair full-toss, Rohit’s innings was cut short due to a sore right shoulder, caused by a blow from a short ball by Little. This incident affirmed the challenging nature of the pitch, where feeling ‘in’ was nearly impossible. Nonetheless, Rohit concluded his innings unbeaten on 52, a performance that surely caught Pakistan’s attention and should make them wary, as it rightly should.
