World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma has captained India well in middle overs, says Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the ongoing World Cup. Rohit has been leading from the front with the bat and he has done a fine job in getting the best out of his players.

Pujara hailed Rohit Sharma for his smart bowling changes in the middle overs. India’s Test number three noted that Mohammed Siraj hasn’t been at his best with the new ball but Rohit has brought him on at the right time in the middle overs and the fast bowler has then done a better job.

Rohit has all the experience under his belt and captained India for the 100th time as a leader across formats on Sunday.

​​“He has been brilliant, not just in this game. If you look at the way he has led the team in the entire World Cup, especially the way he brings in the seamers. We have seen that Siraj hasn’t started well in many games now; it’s been two or three games where he hasn’t bowled well with the new ball.

“But it’s about how Rohit uses him in the middle overs. Whenever Rohit has used Siraj in the middle overs, he has given the breakthrough,” Pujara was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.

“And he has been very smart as he has led India well in the middle overs. Not many captains are able to do that. The 10 to 40 over period is the most important in ODIs. Rohit knows that he has to be aggressive, pick those wickets in the middle phase, which he has been able to do,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma also scored a crucial knock of 87 runs off 101 balls against England on Sunday and played a key role in helping the team post 229 runs on the board. India went on to win by 100 runs after an impressive bowling show from fast bowlers.

Rohit has scored 398 runs in six matches at an average of 66.33 and a strike rate of 119.16 in the ongoing World Cup 2023 and thus he has been leading from the front.

India will next take on Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.