“It was important for the captain to last long and play an extended innings” – Aakash Chopra lauds Rohit Sharma’s knock in India’s win vs Ireland

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Rohit Sharma’s knock in India’s eight-wicket win against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Wednesday. Ireland was bundled out for a meager score of 96 runs after they were put into bat by Rohit Sharma.

India lost the early of Virat Kohli but Rohit Sharma played a match-winning knock of 52 runs off 37 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. It wasn’t Rohit’s most flamboyant knocks as he had to struggle for his runs but he didn’t throw in the towel. Rohit was also struck near his shoulder and had to retire hurt after scoring his fifty.

The Indian captain completed 4000 T20I runs and also became the first batter to smash 600 maximums across all formats.

“Ideally, I should be talking about the bowlers first because they got the opposition all out for 96 but I am going to talk about a batter as these were the conditions where batting was most difficult. Lasting longer was the problem here, whether there was any batter who could last really long,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel. 

“What could have gone wrong in a run chase of 96? The only thing that could have gone wrong was losing early wickets. It was possible that everyone scored 10-15 runs and then, although you would have won the game, the win wouldn’t have been enjoyable. In such a scenario, it was important for the captain to last long and play an extended innings, and he showed that by doing it,” the former India opener added.

Rohit had to retire hurt before taking India over the line as he was hit on a couple of occasions.

Speaking on the situation, Chopra said, “At times, it becomes very difficult. It was actually the case with Rohit Sharma. The captain had to go retired hurt in the end. He retired hurt because he was hit by two or three balls. Ultimately, I don’t know the status of his injury. He was standing on the doorstep of victory but he still said that he couldn’t bear it anymore and went out.”

The renowned commentator also lauded Rishabh Pant, who scored an unbeaten knock of 36 runs off 26 balls on a difficult pitch.

“Kohli got out early. Rishabh Pant came at No. 3. He was also hit by a lot of balls and the physio had to come in. However, he remained unbeaten on 36 and played one or two good shots. He hit three fours and two sixes. Suryakumar got out early but India won the game in 12.2 overs,” Chopra observed.

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday.