R Ashwin backs Rohit Sharma to score big in his 'favorite hunting ground' during World Cup

After Rohit Sharma and the team played Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four, Team India advanced to the tournament's final match. India won the toss in a fierce contest and elected to bat. Although they were fully bowled out in 49.1 overs, they did not bat at their best, managing only 213 runs. However, Kuldeep Yadav's crucial performance during Sri Lanka's innings prevented them from successfully pursuing the total. India triumphed by 41 runs and advanced to the championship game.

3 things you need to know 

• India has qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 final
• The other finalist will be decided after the PAK vs SL match on Thursday, September 14
• SL are the defending champions of the tournament 

Also Read: Virat Kohli shakes a leg on 'lungi dance' during Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka - WATCH

R Ashwin shares a story about Rohit Sharma

R Ashwin went on to discuss the Asia Cup 2023 for Team India, which recently beat Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four. Rohit Sharma recently joined the list of Indian players who have crossed 10,000 runs in the ODI format. Talking about the captain, R Ashwin said: 

He was ready to scare the opponent. 5-6 years back, Virat Kohli and I had a discussion while Rohit was batting. I don't remember which match it was. Seeing Rohit bat, I was thinking, "Where do you even bowl to him?" If Rohit is set after 15-20 overs, you wouldn't know where to bowl to him. 

Virat asked me, "Do you know who is a captain's nightmare at the death?" I asked, "Is it Dhoni?" Kohli was like, "No, it is Rohit." When I asked him why, he said you won't know where to bowl. If Rohit Sharma is batting at the end of the 16th over in a T20, where will you bowl? He has got all the shots in the book and once he played an extraordinary knock in Chinnaswamy stadium that Kohli can never forget, it seems.

Rohit Sharma has got all the shots, and he makes it look so effortless and easy. Whereas with Rohit, if he starts well, it is kind of deflating for the opposition.

Also Read: India vs Sri Lanka: Why Hardik Pandya refused to shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav?

R Ashwin backs Rohit Sharma to score big at Eden Gardens

R Ashwin believes that Kolkata’s Eden Gardens Stadium is the favorite place for the Indian captain to score runs. India hosts the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023. India will play South Africa at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on November 5, 2023. He added: 

Do you know what’s the indication of whether Rohit is going to score big?  I won’t say it’s the pull shot. He usually follows those pull shots with a cover drive. It will look so pleasing to the eye. I have admired his batting so much.

His bat won’t bend that much. It will bend slightly. The ball will go to the left of covers for a boundary. Yesterday, Dunith Wellalage misfielded one that went to the boundary. If he times that shot, you will know it’s going to be Rohit’s day. I feel there is a huge knock around the corner, especially in the World Cup. And I think we have a game in Kolkata too, which is his favorite hunting ground.

Rohit Sharma has an incredible record at Eden Gardens and he also has one double-century to his name at this iconic venue. Rohit Sharma Smashed a record-breaking 264 in 2014 against Sri Lanka in the ODI game, which is the highest individual ODI score.

Rohit Sharma scored 53 runs out of 48 balls against Sri Lanka and played a key role for the team. He will be looking forward to winning the Asia Cup 2023 final and helping India win its first ICC trophy in the last 10 years.