Punjab Kings bowling all-rounder Odean Smith has had a topsy-turvy time in the IPL so far. On his debut IPL game, against Royal Challengers Bangalore, after conceding 52 runs in his 4 overs, the West Indian hammered 25* runs off just 8 balls to help PBKS scale down 206 with an entire over to spare.
In the second game, which Punjab lost against Kolkata Knight Riders, Smith returned with figures of 1/39 in just 2 overs as Andre Russell pounded his compatriot. Odean Smith, nonetheless, is expected to retain his place in Punjab’s eleven on Sunday against Chennai Super Kings even as Jonny Bairstow is set to make his debut for the franchise.
I like watching Rohit Sharma: Odean Smith
Amongst the most ferocious hitters of the cricket ball, Odean Smith was asked the cricketer who he admired – and it is none other than the Indian and Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma.
The 25-year-old all-rounder hailed Rohit’s aggressiveness as a batter and would like to blood that into his own game; he remains in awe of Rohit’s flow when he plays his shots.
“I think that player would be Rohit Sharma. He is one of those players with (amazing) batting speed. He is a very aggressive nature and I would like to take that (aspect of his batting) into my game also. I like watching him. I haven’t really interacted with him as yet but hopefully, soon I will be doing that,” Odean Smith told News18.
Rohit Sharma is arguably the best all-format opener in the world currently. He had already attained greatness in white-ball cricket and has been in sublime touch in Test cricket also over the past three years.
However, for the Mumbai Indians skipper, his franchise once again has had a slow start to their IPL campaign as the five-time champions have lost both their matches so far. They will want to get off the mark on the points table in their third game, which is against KKR on Wednesday.
