Batting great Sunil Gavaskar was impressed with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s ability to take the right DRS calls in the first ODI of the three-match series against West Indies at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Rohit Sharma’s stint as the full-time white-ball skipper started on a high as Team India thumped West Indies by 6 wickets on Sunday (February 6), in what was their 1000th ODI game.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was spot on with his leadership skills in the first game against the Kieron Pollard-led side and was lauded by many fans and pundits for the same.
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Apart from making brilliant bowling changes and scoring half-century with the bat, Rohit Sharma impressed many with his proactive approach with the DRS. India’s white-ball skipper took as many as three successful reviews.
He first took DRS when the umpire gave Darren Bravo not out on Washington Sundar’s delivery that was short and struck him on the pads. The review confirmed that no bat was involved and hawk-eye showed three reds.
The second successful review came in 20th over of West Indies innings when Yuzvendra Chahal bowled a tossed-up delivery and trapped Nicholas Pooran in LBW. Rohit Sharma wasted no time in reviewing the decision and the batter was given out for 18 runs.
The third time, Rohit Sharma was convinced by former skipper Virat Kohli to take the DRS. In the 22nd over, Chahal bowled a leg-break delivery, that drew Shamarh Brooks out for a forward defense.
The ball took the outside edge and was caught by Rishabh Pant. The on-field umpire gave not out but the Indian skipper went for the review and Ultra edge showed the spike, resulting in a third successful review for Team India.
Speaking on Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar said that when MS Dhoni was India’s captain he used to call DRS as Dhoni Referral System but now it’s Rohit Sharma system as the right-hander is getting it ‘absolutely right’.
“When Dhoni was there I used to call it the Dhoni Referral System. And I mentioned it in the commentary that you can now call it the Rohit system because he is getting it absolutely right so far,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
Sunil Gavaskar further said that at times there will be situations when Rohit Sharma will get it wrong and at that time wicketkeeper has to play a crucial role and tell the skipper where the ball was pitched.
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“There will be situations where you will be getting it wrong but it is the wicketkeeper who plays the crucial role here because he is going to guide you here as to where the ball was pitched. If the ball hits the pads, below the knee roll or above then the bowler comes in. Otherwise, it is the wicketkeeper who plays a crucial role,” he said.
Coming to the match, India on account of superlative bowling performance bundled out West Indies for just 176 runs. Skipper Rohit Sharma then smashed a quick half-century to set up the chase for his side.
An unbeaten 62 runs partnership between Suryakumar Yadav (34*) and debutant Deepak Hooda (26*), in the end, took the hosts home in 28 overs and take 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
(Star Sports inputs)
