19/10/2023
It's the fourth ball of the eleventh over during India’s chase at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Thursday. Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud runs in and bangs the ball short. Rohit Sharma, who at this point had gotten into his position after the shuffle, proceeds with his forward press in an attempt to pull the ball. However, at the last moment, Sharma opts to leave, respecting the delivery for what it was — a sharp bouncer which he was not in a position to hook.
Not often does one see Sharma recusing himself a pull shot. It’s always been his go-to shot and a signature as well. Mamud runs in again. Another short ball, except this time he misses the line. Sharma gets into position and pulls the ball, he tried to keep it down a bit, from a little outside off-stump behind square for a four. Thrown in all the adjectives you want and it would do no justice.
The number scrolls on the ticker — Rohit vs short balls since 2019 WC: Avg - 403. There isn’t a decimal misplaced, nor is the number extrapolated. That is how mighty Sharma has been against short-balls. He has played other shots as well, but it is his pulls and hooks that has set the crowd alive and even taken him to the top of the run-scorer list for this WC. Two overs later, he would hook Mamud for another six before hitting one straight to the fielder (48 runs from 40 balls), bringing down his average against short balls to 207 since 2019 WC. In a chase of 257, he had done his job.
Watching Sharma at the other end was Shubman Gill. The opener had fallen sick days before the tournament and had missed the first two games. He was down with dengue, hospitalised in Chennai, before getting back to do what he loves — batting — in a week’s time. He never misses a net session, even if it is optional. On Wednesday, he was one of the few to turn up. And the sound of the ball hitting Gill’s bat is something that will stay with you even in the nets.
