(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former England captain Nasser Hussain lauded India skipper Rohit Sharma for steering the Men in Blue to a triumphant 70-run victory against New Zealand in the World Cup 2023 semi final 1 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. During the post-match show, Hussain emphasized Rohit’s significant role in providing magical starts to the Indian innings.
While acknowledging that Virat Kohli, Mohammad Shami and Shreyas Iyer will hog the limelight for reaching significant milestones, Hussain underscored Rohit as the “genuine hero”, attributing him to the transformation of India’s cricketing culture.
“The headlines tomorrow will be about Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami but the genuine hero of this Indian side, the actual man that has changed the culture of this Indian side is Rohit Sharma,” said Hussain as quoted on Sky Sports.
Drawing the comparison from T20 World Cup 2022, where India faced a semi-final exit under Rohit’s captaincy, Hussain highlighted the skipper’s commitment to change and lead by example following that.
“We’ve DK (Dinesh Karthik) with us and after that, we were all there for the semi-final at Adelaide where they played meek, timid cricket plodded along in the T20 semi-final, got below par score and England knocked them off none down and won by ten wickets. He said to DK, we’re gonna have to change. It’s one thing saying that, there’s another thing going out and walking the walk,” he added.
Hussain commended Rohit for carrying the fearless cricket approach into the knockout game. He noted Rohit’s ability to walk the talk, comparing it to the turnaround after the lackluster T20 semi-final performance against England in 2022.
“So I think the real hero today was Rohit and the first time they’re being tested. Group stage as he would know is one thing, knockout game, can you do it again, can you play fearless cricket? As skipper, he went out to there and showed everyone and showed his dressing room we’re going to carry on exactly the same way,” Hussain concluded.
The 36-year-old has showcased exceptional form in the ongoing World Cup 2023, amassing impressive 550 runs in 10 innings, boasting an average of 55 and a strike rate of 124.15.
In the riveting semi-final clash against the Black Caps, Rohit contributed 47 runs off 29 balls, giving another quick-fire start to his team, which eventually went on to record a score of 397 and win by 70 runs.