Indian commentator Aakash Chopra has praised Rohit Sharma for quickly reaching the 10,000-run mark after a slow start to his ODI career. Rohit reached the milestone during his 53-run innings in India’s Asia Cup 2023 Super Four match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, September 12. His innings set the Men in Blue a target of 214 for Dasun Shanaka and Co. Favorable surface and they won the game by 41 runs to book a place in the final.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra recalled that when Rohit was batting in the middle order in the early stages of his career, he was not firing on all cylinders. He saw:
“There were some milestones as well in batting. Rohit Sharma, we believe in Sharma, we believe in karma. He was one of the slowest Indians to reach 2000 but then he used to bat down the order, in the lower-middle order or the middle order.”
The former Indian opening batsman said that after starting the opening, the career of this stylish batsman took off and after that, he did not look back. They said:
“He didn’t have a very solid start to his international career but after that, once he started opening, he gathered pace, and now he is one of the fastest to 10000 ODI runs, I mean mount 10000. Well Done Ro Superhit Sharma.”
Rohit is second to score 10,000 ODI runs in 241 innings, only behind Virat Kohli’s 205 runs. As an opening batsman, he has scored 8001 runs in 160 innings at an excellent average of 55.95.
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“He Batted Differently” – Aakash Chopra On Rohit Sharma’s Knock Against Sri Lanka
Aakash Chopra highlighted that Rohit Sharma continued his love affair with Sri Lanka. He elaborated:
“He batted absolutely differently and he loves Sri Lanka a lot in any case. He has hit two double centuries against them. The way he hit a straight six to complete his 10000 runs, there was something in that as well.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator said that it was fitting that the opening batsman reached the maximum of 10,000 runs. He said:
“It was because you identify Rohit Sharma with his six-hitting ability and Rohit did that only. It was an extremely beautiful six straight down the ground. The Indian openers actually gave a very good start.”
Rohit Sharma hit seven fours and two sixes during his innings. He added 80 runs in just 11 overs with Shubman Gill for the opening wicket, a partnership that made a big difference in the end.
