Image Credit- PTI
In the 2023 World Cup final, the Indian batting lineup
struggled and the Australian bowlers came through with a brilliant performance,
taking advantage of a difficult pitch to help them reach 240 after being asked
to bat. Australian captain Pat Cummins had voiced his joy of quieting a large
throng prior to the high-profile match, and he did exactly that. India was
dealt a setback early on when Mitchell Starc dismissed Shubman Gill for just 4
runs; Rohit Sharma then fell on 47 while trying to increase India’s run rate in
the innings. Rohit did, however, face some criticism for the shots he chose.
After hitting Glenn Maxwell for a four and a six in
the Powerplay’s last over, Rohit left the crease in an attempt to blast another
ball into the stands. But Rohit, who was already committed to the stroke,
misjudged as Maxwell withdrew his length, and the ball flew into the air and
towards the cover area. Without making an error, Travis Head made a wonderful
catch to end Rohit’s knock.
While Rohit has been aggressive throughout the World
Cup, the shot selection drew criticism from former India opener Virender
Sehwag.
“He may or may not be disappointed by it, but team
management would certainly be. The coaching staff will tell him that when you
have already hit a 6 and a four, you should not have played that shot. But
Rohit thought, it was the last over of the Powerplay and he didn’t want to let
Maxwell go easy. No doubt, it was a bad shot. You gave a chance. If he had
played it out, situation could have been very different,” said Sehwag
That was the turning point of the game as Australia
then proceeded to choke the flow of runs by tightening the noose around the
Indian batsmen, who eventually just about stumbled to 240.