In the era of the big hitters, Rohit Sharma has a unique record as the only scorer of two double hundreds in ODIs. And yet, in terms of the power and force of big hitting versus style in caressing the ball, Rohit Sharma is very much a member of the second category. He is eminently watchable when he is on a song and easing the ball into the gaps with a sense of timing that sets apart batsmen with certain style to them.
As he failed in the preliminary league save for one innings, Rohit gave the impression that a big one was just round the corner. This is the reason why so many captains have backed him for so long, reposing absolute faith in a player whose fundamentals are so outstanding that his failures used to be puzzling rather than condemnatory.
The feeling that he would make the big one soon persisted and if he did so on the bigger knockout stage the better for Team India. He was prepared to buckle in and work for his runs on Thursday, which should fetch him big marks for temperament, failings in which had marred his early record. There were strokes after his century that showed what class can do when it comes to forcing the pace without having to abandon the elegance of strokeplay.
If a straight drive for six down the long part of the MCG saw substance and style blend nicely into cricket’s best cocktail, the cover drive came that split the field with the precision of a snooker ball being guided into the long pocket across the green baize. This was all class. There may be a savagery to his pull shot, but that is the bread and butter stroke for a batsman who bowlers always tend to test with the short ball looking for a weakness.
The one piece of luck that invariably comes a batsman’s way was Rohit when he mishit a dipping full toss straight down mid wicket’s throat, but umpire Aleem Dar at square leg had his right hand up for the height ‘No Ball’ in what seemed a decision taken in a hurry.
Rohit was extremely lucky to be reprieved thus. His innings would, however, have been a great one even if he had been given out. So restrained and workmanlike had he been while subjugating his instincts. This was the substance over style phase but before the day was out we saw the stylist in flow too making it a perfect half day of watching Rohit’s willow perform its magic.
