India skipper Rohit Sharma looked in his elements in the Asia Cup 2023 Super-4 clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday (September 11).
Rohit made a statement by smashing Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi for a six in the very first over of the match. The right-handed opener notched up his half-century off 42 balls with a maximum against leg-spinner Shadab Khan in the 15th over.
Rohit was looking set for a three-figure mark before he threw away his wicket on 56 off 49 balls in the 17th over. The Indian captain chipped a Shadab Khan delivery to Faheem Ashraf at long-off after a 121-run opening stand with Shubman Gill.
While reviewing the day's play on Star Sports, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir said Rohit Sharma would be disappointed with his dismissal against Pakistan.
"I feel he will be extremely disappointed. The way Rohit Sharma got out, it was an extremely bad shot. He himself knows that shot deserves to be criticized because Pakistan were down and out at that stage," Gambhir stated.
Rohit’s opening partner Gill (58 off 52 balls) also departed soon after scoring his fifty. The Punjab lad was deceived by a slower delivery from Shaheen Afridi and ended up giving a simple catch to Agha Salman at covers.
"At one point, it seemed India might score 370-375. Rohit Sharma played a bad shot and Shubman Gill got out in the very next over. You don't want to give even the slightest window to a bowling attack like Pakistan," Gambhir added.
During his knock, Rohit was particularly severe on Shadab, hitting him for three sixes and two fours. Hence, Gambhir found it baffling that the Indian captain gifted away his wicket against the struggling leg-spinner.
"You gave a window and you played that shot against the bowler you had hit for 30 runs in two overs. If it had been a bowler who had been bowling well, it would have been alright as you were under pressure. If you had just stood there, he would have given you one or two bad balls every over," he remarked.
Coming to the match, Virat Kohli (8*) and KL Rahul (17*) were trying to rebuild the innings when the heavens opened up and the play was called off for the day, with India at 147/2 in 24.2 overs.
There is a reserve day in place for this game and the play will resume on Monday (September 11).
