'This is the identity of a big player' - Piyush Chawla opens up on Rohit Sharma hitting back form in Asia Cup

In an exclusive interview with Star Sports on Follow the Blues LIVE, former Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla shared insights into the resurgence of Rohit Sharma's form as an opener and its significance for the Indian cricket team.

Former India bowler Piyush Chawla spoke on Rohit Sharma’s comeback to form and how he has solidified his place as an opener, he said "This is the identity of a big player, just as we approach a big tournament, he comes back into form some way or the other, and he has shown this at the Asia Cup. This is the Rohit Sharma we all know. He is not trying to hit the ball hard; it’s just lazy elegance.

He is focusing on timing the ball, and from the outside, it looks so fun to watch because he makes batting look pretty easy. And these are good signs for Indian cricket because when your openers are giving you a good start, you get a bigger score, and it helps the middle order. And it is very important that when your middle order is good, then if your openers give you a good start, it becomes very good for the team.”

He also discussed India's strategy against the experienced Shakib Al Hasan and addressed the notion of Virat Kohli's performance against left-arm spinners.

Piyush also spoke on how India will face the threat of Shakib Al Hasan, he said “If we talk about Shakib, he is a very experienced player, and I’ve played against him as well. The way his brain works is very good; he is not a big turner of the ball, but he knows how to bowl in the right areas. So if the Indian team has to play him, we have capable players as well; they will know how to manage against him. I wouldn’t call him a threat; I don’t think that any player is a threat. If you bat well, and India has such a long batting lineup, and a lot of set players, so there shouldn’t be a problem facing him.”

Chawla's observations shed light on the dynamics and preparations within the team as they gear up for upcoming challenges, offering a glimpse into the world of cricket from a seasoned player's perspective.

Piyush also spoke on whether Virat Kohli has any issues facing left-arm spinners, he said “See, that depends on the day; if he really had a problem against left-arm spinners, and you’ve played so many matches, you will get out against someone or the other. If every team thought this way, they would include a left-arm spinner in their team always. But even in the shot he got out to recently (against Sri Lanka), it’s one of his scoring shots; the ball came on late from the pitch and he got out. Generally, that goes between square leg and mid-wicket, and he scores a lot of runs like that. And if we talk about him having a problem against a left-arm spinner, then I don’t think he would have scored 47 centuries in One Day cricket."

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