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Published 13:43 IST, September 11th 2023

IND vs PAK: Ravi Shastri's big verdict on Rohit Sharma as he goes past Sachin Tendulkar

Rohit Sharma scored a quick-fire fifty against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023. His innings has received praise from Ravi Shastri.

Reported by: Prateek Arya
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Ravi Shastri gives verdict on Rohit Sharma's record breaking knock against Pakistan
Ravi Shastri praises Rohit Sharma (Image: AP/BCCI) | Image: self

After being troubled by Shaheen Afridi in the earlier clash against Pakistan, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma delivered a statement from the outset in the Ind vs. Pak Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 game. A wristy flick in the first over of the innings and Sharma was away with a maximum. He led the onslaught along with Shubman Gill and went past Sachin Tendulkar to attain a phenomenal feat.

3 things you need to know

  • Rohit Sharma scored a quick-fire 56 off 49 against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 game
  • Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India the perfect start
  • Rain hampered the Ind vs. Pak game and all eyes are on the reserve day

Also Read | 'Intrigued by his fitness': Ex-cricketer gives his take on Shreyas Iyer's injury concerns

Rohit Sharma breaks Sachin Tendulkar's record

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India the perfect start against Pakistan, the two amassed over 100 runs and made quick fiery fifties respectively. It was the second consecutive century run-stand between the openers, and both times Sharma showcased his power hitting that the team was missing for quite some time. Ahead of the start of the tournament, there were rumblings about how Rohit Sharma could overtake Sachin Tendulkar on a few aspects, and three matches later he has surpassed the great Master Blaster on the account of total half-centuries. Sharma's 56-run knock on Sunday scripted his 50th half-century in ODI cricket and 8th in Asia Cup, which gets him past Tendulkar, who has 7 half tons to his name in the continental cup. 

Also Read | IND vs PAK: How can India qualify for Asia Cup final if reserve day also gets washed out?

Ravi Shastri applauds Rohit Sharma's fiery knock against Pakistan

Sharma's approach to take on Shaheen Afridi is getting praise from the fans and experts. Former head coach Ravi Shastri has also commended Rohit Sharma and pointed out how he endured the difficult spell of Naseem Shah and kept his patience to later lay hold of the situation. Here's what he said.

"There was a 10-ball phase from Naseem Shah at the start that beat him. He was trying to lay bat on ball but he could not. He went through that period and every time he got an opportunity today with anything remotely loose, he hit it over the boundary or to the boundary," Shastri told Star Sports after the Super 4 match was interrupted by rain.

"Rohit did not miss out on a single lose ball today, which showed that in spite of that good spell from the bowlers, the intent was that anything lose, I'm going to hit it for a boundary or six," Shastri added.

While Rohit has surpassed Tendulkar on one account, he can soon supersede the great man by becoming the leading scorer for Team India in the Asia Cup. So far he has 886 runs to his name and needs just another 86 runs to take the summit position in the list. Moreover, he is only 78 runs short of completing 10,000 runs in ODI cricket. Thus, it is raining records for the Hitman.

Updated 13:48 IST, September 11th 2023