Rohit Sharma’s acknowledgment of Dale Steyn‘s prowess isn’t surprising given Dale Steyn‘s reputation as one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in cricket history. Sharma’s career achievements indeed reflect his exceptional batting talent, particularly in limited-overs cricket where he’s known for his prolific run-scoring ability. With nearly 19,000 runs across formats and 48 centuries in 472 games, he’s undoubtedly one of the modern greats of the game.
Indeed, Dale Steyn‘s numbers speak volumes about his dominance and impact, especially in Test cricket where he’s often hailed as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. His remarkable record of 439 wickets at an average of 22.95 underscores his ability to consistently deliver breakthroughs for his team in the longest format of the game. Additionally, his success in limited-overs cricket, with 260 wickets across ODIs and T20Is.
Dale Steyn is an absolute legend of the game- Rohit Sharma
While speaking on Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Rohit mentioned Steyn’s ability to swing the ball at pace delivery is still something to be feared of.
“I have gone and watched his videos like 100 times before I went in to bat. That was Dale Steyn. He is an absolute legend of the game. And what he has achieved in his career is just superb to watch. And I have faced him many times. He is quick. He used to swing the ball at that pace, which is not easy. It is quite tough. And he was a fierce competitor,” Rohit stated.
He also said:
“He just went out there wanting to do everything, to win every game and every session, so it was nice to come up against him. Not that I had much success against him, but I enjoyed my battles,”
Despite Rohit Sharma naming Dale Steyn as the toughest bowler he’s faced, it’s fascinating to note that he has been dismissed by Steyn only once in international cricket, particularly in Test matches during the 2013 series in South Africa. Additionally, the fact that Rohit has maintained a relatively low strike rate of 63.20 against Steyn in ODIs while never being dismissed by him adds another dimension to their on-field encounters.
While Dale Steyn might not have dismissed Rohit Sharma often in international T20 matches, their encounters in the IPL add another layer of intrigue to their rivalry. In the IPL, Rohit Sharma had a slow-paced strike rate of 80.40 against Dale Steyn.
Still hope to play a few more years as well & make an impact in World cricket- Rohit Sharma
As one of the leading cricketers in the Indian team, Rohit has made significant contributions across all formats, showcasing his skill, leadership, and experience. Regarding the same discussions, he mentioned that he would like to play for a few more years.
Rohit Sharma made a remarkable entry into international cricket, especially with his performance in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, where he played a crucial role in India’s victory.
“The journey has been wonderful, it has been 17 years; I still hope to play a few more years as well & make an impact in World cricket,” said Rohit Sharma
He (Rohit) also mentions about leading his team and country by mentioning:
“Captaining your country is the biggest honour that you can have, and for me, I have never thought that this would arrive where I’ll be captaining one day. But yeah, people say good things happen to good people,”
Rohit Sharma is indeed a key player for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He’s known for his exceptional batting skills, especially in the limited-overs formats. It’s exciting to hear that he’s slated to lead Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.