There are comprehensive wins and then there is this. The Rohit Sharma-led Team India hammered Pakistan by 7 wickets, which forced even Shoaib Akhtar to have a go after the Pakistani pace bowling attack, an attack that he had seemed to be confident would make life difficult for the Indian batters.
Instead, it was a proper annihilation and decimation of the Pakistani bowling attack by the hands of India skipper and opener Rohit Sharma, who, carrying on from his blazing century against Afghanistan, blasted 86 runs in 63 balls as India chased down the target of 192 runs with 19.3 overs to spare.
The margin of this massive victory shot India’s NRR up and now the hosts are at the top of the points table in the World Cup 2023.
On one hand the Narendra Modi Stadium erupted in joy with some brilliant, world-class pace bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, Shoaib Akhtar and the entire Pakistani fans were left disappointed with the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf – Rauf in particular getting a proper bashing from Rohit and co.
Rohit Sharma started off the chase with a flicked four off Afridi on the first ball of the innings. That set the tone for his and India’s dominance. Shubman Gill, coming off from dengue, played four beautiful drives for fours before getting out. Virat Kohli, too, looked good with his three boundaries but got out to Hasan Ali.
However, by the time Kohli was out in the 10th over, Rohit had effectively sealed the game with his aggressive stroke-making. Sharma eventually cracked 86 runs with the help of 6 fours and 6 sixes. Shreyas Iyer finished the game remaining unbeaten on 53 runs.
Shoaib Akhtar roasted the Pakistani bowlers with his tweet:
Looking at Rohit’s stunning innings, trolling the PAK bowlers Shoaib Akhtar tweeted: “I am sure Rohit & Virat have more pressure than this batting in nets.”
Jasprit Bumrah was named the player of the match. He said: “It felt good. Usually, you try to analyze the wicket as soon as possible. We realised the wicket is on the slower side so we wanted to bowl hard lengths. We were trying to make it as difficult as possible. (On how he reads pitches quickly and understands what lengths work) Just being aware I guess. I used to ask a lot of questions when I was young and that helps me now. Now I’m experienced. In my younger days they (seniors) were used to being troubled by me sometimes (with questions), but it helps to read the wicket and try different options.”
