'He would have felt a little relieved' - Cheteshwar Pujara explains importance of Rohit Sharma's knock in 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan

India whitewashed Afghanistan 3-0 in the three-match ODI series on Saturday, June 20. The final ODI was held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Men in Blue won the match by nine wickets, chasing down a 219-run target in just 28.4 overs.

Rohit Sharma, who had worked very hard at BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) to regain fitness ahead of the series, scored 16 and 48 in the first two ODIs. However, in the third ODI, he enthralled fans with an exemplary batting display. The 39-year-old smashed 79 off just 69 balls, belting nine fours and three sixes. He stitched a 170-run stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal to take India to a position of strength.

Cheteshwar Pujara said that if Rohit had not gotten the runs in the third ODI, it would have built some pressure on him. The cricketer-turned-expert opined that Rohit would be relieved, having returned to form and praised the veteran player for his contributions while fielding.

"No matter how big a player you are, you need runs, and the way Rohit batted today (Saturday), the rhythm was visible. It was necessary for him to score runs. The team management is backing him, but as a player, when you don't score runs, the pressure on you mounts a little," the former India batter said during a discussion on JioHotstar.

"So he would have felt a little relieved that he is back in form. It will be slightly easier for him when he plays his next innings in England, and that wicket will also suit him. He also performed well in fielding. He took three catches. So, overall, it was a good day for him. He can go to England slightly relaxed," he added.

"Can you maintain your consistency when you play only one format?" - Cheteshwar Pujara on Rohit Sharma's place for 2027 ODI World Cup

Pujara said that while Rohit's experience would come in handy for India if he plays the 2027 ODI World Cup, maintaining consistency and fitness will be his biggest challenge in the coming months.

"The experience will definitely be useful, especially since the World Cup will happen in South Africa, and you will need experienced players there. The only question is about the fitness. Can you maintain your consistency when you play only one format? That will be the only question," he said.

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Pujara also pointed out how Rohit learned from his mistake in the second ODI and played Rashid Khan much better on Saturday.

"He got out to Rashid Khan in the last match. The good thing in this match was how he rectified it. He wasn't playing him as a leg-spinner but as an off-spinner. He targeted the leg side on most shots and tried to play with the spin because Rashid's strength is not leg spin but the googlies," Pujara elaborated.