Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag to give the new ball to Sandeep Sharma against Mumbai Indians’ veteran opener Rohit Sharma. Sandeep is mostly used as a death bowler by RR but Pathan wants the pacer to bowl against Rohit as he has an impressive record against the MI opener.
Sandeep has dismissed Rohit on five occasions in the IPL but the right-hander has managed only 36 runs at an average of 7.6 and a strike rate of 86.4.
“Sandeep Sharma’s stats against Rohit Sharma are very impressive. In this league, Rohit Sharma has been dismissed by him five times. He uses his variations, hand coming away from the ear, but he consistently bowls in line with the stumps and brings the ball inside. He gives Rohit no room at all and uses his variations. If Sandeep gets a black soil pitch or a slow pitch, then he can trap Rohit with his variations,” Pathan said on his YouTube Channel.
Pathan said it would be interesting to note Rohit Sharma’s tactics against Sandeep Sharma.
“Now the question is, how will Rohit counter this? I want to see if he steps out. If he steps out and the wicketkeeper comes up, what will be Rohit’s plan then? Will he use the lap shot? This contest will also be very exciting to watch. Right now, it seems that due to form, Rohit Sharma has the upper hand, but Sandeep Sharma is a very experienced bowler. He often stays underrated but has taken many wickets. His record is amazing. He will use his experience and will not back down. That is certain.”
The 2007 T20 World Cup final hero said RR can also deploy Tushar Deshpande against Rohit Sharma. Deshpande is high on confidence as he had successfully defended 11 runs against GT in the last game.
“I think Tushar Deshpande could also be used against Rohit. He has dismissed Rohit once as well. He has the outswinger and bowls well at the stumps. He is from Mumbai and, having played domestic cricket there, he knows Mumbai’s Rohit Sharma well. Also, the way he bowled the last over in the previous match, defending 11 runs, his confidence would have grown. So, if needed in the powerplay, you can give Tushar Deshpande an over, especially if Rohit Sharma is set.”
RR will face MI in Guwahati on Tuesday.
