Former England cricketer Naseer Hussain has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma, crediting him as the linchpin behind India's formidable performance in the ongoing ODI World Cup.
Hussain commended Sharma for instigating a significant shift in India's approach, advocating for an aggressive style of cricket that resonated with the team and the nation alike.
"While the headlines may spotlight (Virat) Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Mohammad Shami, the true hero reshaping this Indian team's ethos is Rohit Sharma. His influence in altering the team's culture has been remarkable," Hussain remarked during his commentary on Sky Sports.
Sharma's commanding batting display in the first semi-final against New Zealand laid the groundwork for India's dominant batting performance. His brisk 47 off 29 deliveries, along with the formidable tons from Kohli and Iyer, propelled India to a formidable total of 397/4.
Hussain underscored Sharma's pivotal role in setting the tone for India's aggressive approach, particularly emphasizing the transition from group-stage play to knockout fixtures. "Today's real hero was Rohit. The skipper's fearless approach in the knockout stage, especially Rohit Sharma's, sent a resounding message," Hussain elaborated on Sharma's impact as the Indian captain.
India's triumph over New Zealand by 70 runs in the World Cup 2023 semi-final was further highlighted by Mohammed Shami's stellar bowling figures of 7 for 57, solidifying India's stellar performance in the crucial match.
(With Agency Inputs)
