Twitter Reactions: Rohit Sharma makes his 100th T20I memorable as India level the series in Rajkot

Rohit slammed 85 off just 43 deliveries with six fours and as many sixes to his name.

By Aditya Gajanan Kukalyekar verified

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Rohit Sharma fifty
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Rohit Sharma celebrates his fifty. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Rohit Sharma’s batting average in the second of the three-match series as captain, coming into the second T20I against Bangladesh, was 243.5. And the numbers only got supremely better in Rajkot. The Indian captain just left the visitors wondering what hit them in Rajkot as India comfortably gunned down the 154-run target to level the series. Rohit scored 85 off just 43 deliveries to make his landmark 100th T20I memorable.

Ahead of the must-win game to stay in the series, Rohit Sharma had cleared that the team will change its approach and the skipper led by an example. A lot was said about the batting not living up to its mark in the shortest format. However, the way Rohit batted in Rajkot, things look set to change for India in the near future.

Coming back to the match, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit got India off to a flyer to make the chase a cakewalk. The duo added 118 runs in just 10.5 overs. The former too tried to force the pace and there was intent shown by him as well. But Dhawan struggled to get going during his 31 off 26 deliveries. However, with his partner going all guns blazing, the hosts were never bothered.

There was nothing much left in the game when Dhawan was castled by young Aminul Islam and the only excitement left was if Rohit Sharma manages to get to his century. And to everyone’s despair, he couldn’t get to the three-figure mark with the same bowler getting the better of the Indian captain. Though his 85-run knock, which was decorated with 7 fours and 8 sixes, was absolutely a spectator’s delight.

The run-scoring slowed down a bit later but with no pressure of the required run-rate, India cantered home with more than four overs to spare and eight wickets in hand.

Sloppy India pull back things nicely

Earlier, India opted to field first after winning the toss and the decision didn’t seem to be a great one at the start. Bangladesh’s openers Liton Das and Mohammad Naim got their team off to a brilliant start. They added 60 runs in just 44 deliveries even as the former was given a reprieve by Rishabh Pant who made a grave mistake of collecting the ball ahead of the stumps while stumping out the batsman.

However, he made amends for it almost soon. Pant ran Liton Das out with a direct hit and from here on, India started to control the proceedings. Soumya Sarkar played his shots during his 20-ball 30-run knock but others couldn’t keep the tempo going. The youngster Naim also impressed many with his stroke-filled 36. But the Indian bowlers were clever in pulling things back.

Mushfiqur Rahim, the hero of the series opener, was dismissed for just four runs by Yuzvendra Chahal. The leggie continued to be impressive on his comeback and returned with the figures of 2/28. Deepak Chahar also delivered when needed the most as Bangladesh couldn’t up the ante in the death overs. Their skipper Mahmudullah got out at the wrong time.

They managed to muster only 25 runs off last 21 balls to post 153 runs on the board after 20 overs. The total was way below par and it proved to be an easy victory for India in the end.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

 

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