Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons Rohit Sharma is not batting at his absolute best despite scoring century in the second ODI against the West Indies at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Wednesday.
Rohit scored a fine knock of 101 runs off just 75 balls with the help of 10 fours and six sixes in the run-chase of 406. He added 255 runs off 158 balls with his opening partner Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeaten knock of 233 runs off 133 balls.
However, Ashwin noted that Rohit is getting beaten while trying to play the pick-up shot on length deliveries.
Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “If you ask me, is Rohit batting at his best? Maybe not. He is not batting at his best, but he is still that good. I’m saying this after noticing just one thing: he is not batting at his best because, sometimes, when the ball is coming into the line of the stumps, especially the length deliveries, he is trying to play that pickup shot and missing it quite often. He is getting beaten even on those balls that are landing on a good length.”
Ashwin reckons the better fast bowler can exploit this weakness as the veteran batter is losing his shape while trying to bat the shot.
“That is one area that some of the better fast bowlers will be able to exploit because he is having a little bit of trouble with back-of-a-length deliveries around the stumps. That is why his shoulder is turning slightly and his shape is getting affected, and he is looking towards the leg side a little bit. Rohit Sharma in good form stays in shape to the ball, and whenever the ball comes into his hitting zone, he hits it. He is looking for the pickup pull more often now, which is why I’m saying he is probably not batting at his best.”
On the other hand, Ashwin reckons Rohit’s hundred celebration was an answer to all the critics, who were questioning his place in the team.
“He celebrated because he has broken down everyone’s opinion, one by one. Everyone was saying that he couldn’t make it to the 2027 World Cup, and he is breaking that down one by one. And I really enjoyed watching that celebration because, you know, it was like a child celebrating. If, after reaching this age, after so many years and with so much experience, you can still celebrate like that, it tells all of us how much it means to him. Rohit Sharma’s innings yesterday was exceptional, unbelievable, and he knows what he is doing.”
The third ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at New Chandigarh on Saturday.
