Virat Kohli hails ‘special’ Rohit Sharma for his match-winning century vs South Africa | ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Dixit Bhargav | 05/06/2019
Virat Kohli hails 'special' Rohit Sharma for his match-winning century vs South Africa | ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Virat Kohli hails ‘special’ Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain was wax lyrical about his deputy’s match-winning innings vs South Africa.

During the eighth match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between South Africa and India at Southampton, India defeated South Africa by 6 wickets to register their maiden victory in the showpiece event.

Chasing a 228-run target, India thrived on vice-captain Rohit Sharma’s 23rd ODI century as the opening batsman became the fulcrum of Indian batting. Sharma’s unbeaten knock saw India sealing the chase in the 48th over. He ended up scoring 122* (144) with the help of 13 fours and two sixes.

Virat Kohli hails ‘special’ Rohit Sharma

Speaking during the post-match press conference, India captain Virat Kohli lauded his deputy for him taking the onus on himself especially after Shikhar Dhawan (8) and himself (18) getting out cheaply. “Hats off to Rohit [Sharma], very professional win.

“We’re confident as a group, with the bat we had to be careful. That’s why I said Rohit’s innings was special. One of the top three getting a 100 is something we bank on,” Kohli was quoted as saying.

Other than Sharma, Kohli also admired other batsmen’s innings during the chase. “KL [Rahul] was superb, showed composure. MS [Dhoni] too and then Hardik [Pandya], the way he finished, he seems to be in a good head space as well,” Kohli said.

Virat Kohli eulogizes about Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal

Shifting from his batsmen to bowlers, Kohli eulogized about the likes of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (10-1-35-2) and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (10-0-51-4). “Jasprit [Bumrah] is operating at a different level, batsmen are always feeling pressure. [Yuzvendra] Chahal too was outstanding.

“There’s one thing when you see a bowler bowl and when you catch the ball [on Quinton de Kock’s dismissal], you understand the heaviness. The next 15 minutes my hands were buzzing. Was absolutely outstanding to get [Hashim] Amla out like that in ODIs. To get Quinny [Quinton de Kock] as well was outstanding,” Kohli added.

Post Edited By: Dixit Bhargav
icc cricket world cup 2019 India Rohit Sharma South Africa Virat Kohli

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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