'It’s impossible to bowl to...' - Ravichandran Ashwin reveals nightmare of bowlers in last four overs

Following India's 3-0 T20I series whitewash against Afghanistan, Ravichandran Ashwin recalled his old statement highlighting Rohit Sharma's ability to destroy opponents in the death overs. India successfully completed their final T20I assignment ahead of the 2024 World Cup with a thrilling win in a dramatic encounter at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. 

Advertisment

India were given a shock by the Afghan pacers after opting to bat first in a venue that is known as a batting paradise. The hosts were four down in the fifth over with just 22 runs on the board. However, an unbeaten 190-run partnership between captain Rohit and Rinku Singh turned the momentum in India's favour. 

The veteran opener played a sensational knock to record his fifth T20I century and guide India to a massive total of 212. He entered the game on the back of two ducks but compensated for that with a stunning 121* off just 69 balls. Rohit had a nervy start to the innings when Afghanistan pacer Fareed Ahmad was on fire. However, once he settled in, the right-hander smashed the bowlers all around the park without any mercy.

It’s impossible to bowl to a set Rohit Sharma: Ashwin 

Advertisment

Speaking on his YouTube channel, senior India spinner R Ashwin hailed his skipper for the spectacular knock. The right-arm off-spinner reiterated his statement that Rohit is the most dangerous batter to bowl in death overs.

“The most notable point of the match was Rohit’s innings was, when the team was floating at 30/4, he buckled down and adapted to the situation and went nuts at the back end of the innings. I have said this before, it’s impossible to bowl to a set Rohit Sharma in the last four overs, whoever the bowler is," Ashwin said. 

“Length balls can be pulled. Towards the body, he can play the pick-up pull. If your short ball is sailing in front of the wicket, a little fuller and wider, you are going to see a loft over covers. If you miss the yorker, confirm six. Leave the Super Over in the third T20I, he hit sixes off Tim Southee in New Zealand and won a match for us casually," he added.

Advertisment

Apart from becoming the first batter on the planet to score five T20I centuries, Rohit also broke several records, including becoming the oldest Indian player to score a ton in the shorter format. Notably, Rohit played a crucial role in both the Super Overs, which India won by 10 runs.