Page 48 - The Indian EYE 062824

SPORTS JUNE 28, 2024 | The Indian Eye 48

T20 WORLD CUP

With his power play, Rohit breaks leaves Virat

behind and catches up with Babar Azam

Rohit achieved his 48th T20I win as a skipper including Super Over wins. Babar also has 48

wins as the Pakistan captain in the T20I format in 85 matches

OUR BUREAU Rohit struck eight towering maxi-
mums in St Lucy leaving the Austra-
St Lucia (WI)
lian bowlers speechless as they clue-
ndian skipper Rohit Sharma sur- lessly looked to find answers to put a
passed his compatriot Virat Kohli cap on the carnage.
Ito become the leading run-scorer “Well played. Phenomenal
in the T20I format and levelled his knock in true hitman style. Well
counterpart Pakistan captain Babar played Brothaman captain’s innings
Azam’s record for most wins as a cap- to set the game in momentum,” Yu-
tain in T20I format. vraj wrote on Instagram.
After witnessing a lean run from After Kohli went back for a five-
Rohit’s bat, the fans finally got to ball duck, Rohit went berserk in the
witness Ro’Hitman’ Sharma peak- third over and took on Australia’s
ing at arguably the best moment. In ace, Mitchell Starc. With his brisk-
157 matches, the veteran opener has paced knock, Rohit achieved his
amassed 4,165 runs at an average of highest score in tournament history.
32.03 and a strike rate of 140.75. His rampant knock is also the highest
Babar slipped to the second spot individual score in the ongoing edi-
with 4,145 runs in 123 matches at an tion of the tournament.
average of 41.03. After the shuffle at The highlight of Rohit’s knock
the top, Kohli dropped to the third was leaving Mitchell Starc speech-
spot with 4,103 runs under his belt in less in the third over by amassing 29
123 matches at an average of 48.84. runs. After Virat Kohli went back
After successfully defending 205 for a five-ball duck, Rohit went ber-
and clinching a 24-run win over the serk in the third over and took on
Baggy Greens, in the 60th match, Australia’s ace, Mitchell Starc. On
Rohit achieved his 48th T20I win as the first delivery, he launched the
a skipper including Super Over wins. ball over the covers to set the tone.
Babar also has 48 wins as the Paki- He effortlessly cleared the bound-
stan captain in the T20I format in 85 ary on the second ball, leaving Starc
matches. clueless in the process.
India’s victory sealed their date On the third ball, he slammed
with England in the semi-final in the ball down the ground to pick up
Guyana on Thursday, and wishes a four. He tonked the third six into
started to pour on X. The Board of the crowd over deep midwicket on a
Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) delivery that clocked 144kph.
secretary, Jay Shah congratulated Starc found a moment of re-
Rohit for his magnificent perfor- prieve after pulling off a dot ball on
mance and is hopeful that India will India’s captain Rohit Sharma celebrates his half-century during the Super 8 Group 1 match the fifth delivery. Starc and Austra-
bring the World Cup trophy back to against Australia in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024, at Daren Sammy National Cricket lia’s woes increased after he bowled
the nation. a wide on the final delivery. The left-
“It was the Hitman show! You Stadium, Gros Islet, in St Lucia on Monday (ANI) arm pacer went for a yorker to finish
were simply brilliant with the bat, @ off the over, but he couldn’t nail it
ImRo45 ! Our unbeaten run contin- valuable contributions, powered In- knock against Australia’s top-class and bowled a full toss. Rohit had a
ues as we head to the semis! Let’s dia to 205/5. bowling line-up. full swing at it and the ball sailed over
bring this trophy home, boys!” Shah In reply, Travis Head caused In- In the clash between the two jug- the third man for another six. Starc’s
wrote on X. dia all sorts of trouble but the bowl- gernauts in the Super 8 of the ongo- scorching yorker brought an end to
Rohit struck 92 off 41 deliveries ers inspired the Rohit-led side to a ing T20 World Cup, Rohit’s 41-ball, Rohit’s knock.
and caught Australia in a whirlwind 24-run win. 92 caught Australia in a whirlwind His brutal onslaught combined
that they couldn’t deal with despite Former India star all-rounder that they couldn’t deal with despite a with valuable contributions from the
a star-studded bowling line-up. His Yuvraj Singh lavished praise on cap- star-studded bowling line-up. rest of the batters powered India to
valiant effort, combined with other tain Rohit Sharma for his flamboyant A knock soothing to the eyes, 205/5.

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