Rohit Sharma, captain of the Indian cricket team and the elegant opener, has been a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup in One Day Internationals (ODIs). His remarkable ability to build and accelerate innings has made him one of the most prolific run-scorers in limited-overs cricket. In the Asia Cup, a tournament filled with intense rivalries and high-stakes cricket, Rohit Sharma has delivered some unforgettable performances. Here, we delve into his top three iconic knocks in the Asia Cup ODI.
3.Rohit Sharma’s belligerent 68 vs Pakistan – Asia Cup 2012
Rohit’s masterful innings of 68 against Pakistan left cricket fans in awe. This crucial match took place on March 18, 2012, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Sharma’s performance played a pivotal role in India’s victory. Batting at the top order, Sharma displayed exceptional composure and technique against a formidable Pakistani bowling attack.
Rohit’s 68 came off 83 deliveries and was characterized by his elegant strokeplay and impeccable timing. He found the gaps with precision, rotating the strike effectively, and punishing loose deliveries with classic drives and cuts. His partnership with Sachin Tendulkar added stability to India’s innings, and they shared a valuable partnership.
Sharma’s innings eventually helped India set a competitive target of 330 runs, which Pakistan failed to chase down. Rohit’s sublime batting not only showcased his immense talent but also contributed significantly to a memorable Indian victory in a high-pressure encounter against their arch-rivals. This innings remains etched in the memories of cricket fans as a testament to Sharma’s batting prowess on the big stage.
2. Rohit Sharma’s Classy 83* vs Bangladesh – Asia Cup 2018
In the 2018 Asia Cup, Rohit Sharma delivered a memorable performance against Bangladesh, scoring a vital 83 runs. Sharma’s innings showcased his exceptional batting prowess and composure under pressure. He anchored the Indian innings with a mix of elegant strokes and calculated aggression.
His partnership with Shikhar Dhawan set the tone for India’s victory, eventually clinching the Asia Cup title. Rohit Sharma’s knock was not only instrumental in securing the win but also demonstrated his leadership qualities as he captained the team during the tournament. His 83 runs remained a pivotal moment in India’s successful Asia Cup campaign.
1. Rohit Sharma’s blistering 111* vs Pakistan – Asia Cup 2018
In the 2018 Asia Cup, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan in a much-anticipated group-stage encounter. Rohit Sharma, leading the Indian side, exhibited his class and composure under pressure. Batting first, Rohit came out to open the innings and quickly found his rhythm. He played an extraordinary knock, scoring a scintillating 111 runs off just 119 balls.
What made this knock even more special was Rohit’s ability to anchor the innings while consistently finding boundaries. He displayed an array of strokes, piercing the gaps with precision and punishing the bad balls with ruthlessness. His century laid the foundation for India’s formidable total of 238 runs, which eventually proved to be a match-winning score as Pakistan fell short by 9 runs.
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