Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra lavished praise on Rohit Sharma after Mumbai Indians secured a comprehensive six-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday. Chasing a par score of 229 runs, Rohit scored a brilliant knock of 84 runs off just 44 balls after making a comeback from a hamstring injury.
The MI opener smashed six fours and seven sixes in his blistering knock. Rohit added 143 runs off 65 balls with Ryan Rickelton to give a perfect platform to his team and they were able to chase down their highest total in IPL history.
Chopra highlighted that Rohit played cautiously against Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan whereas he adopted an aggressive approach against Mohammed Shami. Rohit scored at a run-a-ball off his first 15 balls however, he changed gears against Avesh Khan.
“You had to watch the match to see the tactical brilliance. He really knew who to hit where, when, and how, and that was a masterclass. There were some good bowlers. Prince Yadav – run-a-ball, he said he would quietly take a single against him, and go to the other end, and not take much risk,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Mohsin Khan was bowling well. So he said he would play at a run-a-ball against him. Then Mohammad Shami. He got a few chances against him. He actually attacked him,” he added.
Chopra praised Rohit for taking the attack against Avesh Khan and smashing the seamer for 21 runs in the sixth over.
“The lion in the jungle decided which animal he would hunt. I am just giving an analogy. He was waiting for Avesh Khan. Five overs had passed and he was going at almost a run-a-ball. Avesh came in the sixth over and he smashed him for 21 runs,” he said.
“In fact, he again waited for Avesh. He hit 35 runs off 13 balls against one guy. The sixth over is important. He took him down at the start. After that, Avesh had decided to bowl wide yorkers by keeping point and cover back. He hit a six over cover. My jaw dropped. He is so good,” Chopra observed.
Mumbai Indians will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Raipur on Sunday.
