‘Rohit Sharma was batting on some other pitch’ – Fans react to Rohit Sharma’s blistering start vs South Africa

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was in focus as he led his team against South Africa in the 37^th game of the ODI World Cup 2023. Both India and South Africa had made it to the semi-finals of the ongoing tournament.

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It was India who won the toss and Rohit Sharma chose to bat first on a cloudy and overcast day in Kolkata. The pitch as per Irfan Pathan and Ravi Shastri ahead of the game looked slow and low and reckoned it to be a bat-first wicket.

South Africa made one change to their team as fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was replaced by Tabraiz Shamsi. The 33-year-old Shamsi had played a key role in South Africa’s one–wicket win over Pakistan. The Indian team went in with the same team that won against Sri Lanka.

Rohit Sharma begins in blistering fashion –

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The game on Sunday at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata wasn’t just between India and South Africa. It was a battle between the Indian batters and the South African bowlers. Rohit Sharma seemed like he wanted to make a statement right from the start.

The 36-year-old began by hitting Lungi Ngidi for a four in the 4^th ball of the 1^st over. This was followed by two more well-timed boundaries off the same bowler in the third over. Marco Jansen then bore the brunt of Rohit Sharma’s willow as he was first pulled and then drove the left-arm pacer for fours.

Lungi Ngidi and his battle with Rohit Sharma wasn’t over as the Indian skipper went on a rampage. One of the boundaries was ill-timed but the next two deliveries were deposited deep into the stand.

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The introduction of Kagiso Rabada changed the momentum of the game. Rohit Sharma looking to dominate the bowler gave him the charge only to mistime the ball. The South African skipper Temba Bavuma took a neat diving catch to send back his Indian counterpart for 40 runs off 24 balls.

With Rohit Sharma in such great touch, the Indian score had already crossed fifty runs even before the end of the 6^th over. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma’s opening wicket stand was worth 62 runs which came in just 35 balls. If India wins on Sunday they will finish the ODI World Cup 2023 group phase at the top of the table.

Here’s how the fans reacted –

Rohit Sharma was batting on some other pitch?

— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) November 5, 2023

Indian in first 10 overs today- 91 runs.

India in next 10 overs - 33 runs

This is the impact of Rohit Sharma his impact is unmatched. pic.twitter.com/ZQ0BOQ58G0

— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) November 5, 2023

86, 48, 46, 87, 40.

Rohit Sharma of 2019 would have scored at least 3 hundreds in these innings. I just don't know what to say anymore. Disheartening. 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/XS5K0h0h7b

— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) November 5, 2023

Rohit Sharma dismissed for 40 in 24 balls...!!!

Yet another positive innings by Rohit, he was going all over South Africa. Unfortunately another 40s for the Hitman, deserved the fifty. pic.twitter.com/jRZX5rKYC5

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 5, 2023

Rohit Sharma's last 19 innings in World Cups:

137(126), 34(48), 122*(144), 57(70), 140(113), 1(10), 18(23), 102(109), 104(92), 103(94), 1(4), 0(6), 131(84), 86(63), 48(40), 46(40) & 87(101), 4(2) & 40(24). pic.twitter.com/pYzqS4Oxhs

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 5, 2023

Rohit Sharma with a HALF pull shot in Eden Gardens!!!🔥🔥#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/WT1uaPTL1Y

— ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) November 5, 2023

The Hitman Rohit Sharma has arrived .!!!🔥🔥🔥

The Pull shot 🦁#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/RU3bkycF0K

— ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) November 5, 2023

THIS IS CARANGE, THIS IS FKING CARNAGE..!!

ROHIT SHARMA - THE GOAT 🐐. pic.twitter.com/wf4oU6jwVC

— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) November 5, 2023