New Delhi: Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik praised Rohit Sharma for his measured knock in the third ODI against the West Indies, saying the former captain’s ability to absorb pressure and accelerate later showed why he could be crucial to India’s campaign at the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
India lost captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli inside the first three overs, and with the pitch offering assistance to the fast bowlers, the Men in Blue were under pressure at the CA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
However, Rohit anchored the innings alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad before smashing 92 off 85 balls. Taking note of how Rohit weathered the difficult period before accelerating, Karthik and former India batter Ajinkya Rahane heaped praise on the veteran opener, with Karthik highlighting his importance for the 2027 World Cup.
“The beauty of having experience is that they have seen this situation a lot before. If you take Rohit Sharma, when he saw the two early wickets fall, if you see he was on 20 for the first 40 balls with a 50 strike rate. That was because he knew he could trust himself and back it up and get those runs quickly.
“And then you see how quickly he moved to 92 after scoring less than a run-a-ball. His strike rate went above 100, but he made that all up in the next 40 balls. In the first 40 balls, he took time, didn’t allow wickets to fall and then in the next 40 balls, he went and smashed,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
With the West Indies bowlers extracting assistance from the pitch, Rohit curbed his aggressive instincts and played himself in before going on the offensive. Karthik said a similar approach could prove valuable in South Africa, where experience could play a crucial role.
“He saw Jayden Seales was bowling a good spell; Alzarri (Joseph) was bowling nice and sharp. He took time, waited for them to bowl in his areas and if not, I am happy to defend. To have that courage and conviction in that moment is what experience is.
“A lot of people would have tried to do a little more than they should because they would fear. A young Rohit Sharma would have made that mistake but today he has a wealth of experience. The same thing could happen even in South Africa, and that’s when the experience of a Rohit or Shubman or Virat can come through, where they are able to lower their gears down and say, ‘okay, I am not going to play big for the moment, and I know I can make up later’,” he added.
Rahane also praised Rohit for his knock.
“It seemed the first time that the bowlers were getting help. West Indies had a good chance. But the way Rohit handled it was well; he left several balls, did not attack as he used to. He observed the situation and put up a strong partnership with Ruturaj before cashing in against spinners later,” Rahane said.