Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two of the best batsmen to have ever represented India. They are the two mainstays of India’s current ODI squad. On Sunday, November 30, during the first one-day international between India and South Africa in Ranchi, they demonstrated that their bats can still speak for themselves and enable the Men in Blue overwhelm other sides.
If Kohli gave the finishing kick, Rohit laid the foundation with a half-century during an unbroken 137-run partnership from 15.5 overs. India scored 349 for eight in 50 overs thanks to centuries from Kohli (120) and Ravindra Jadeja (42). South Africa were all out for 332 in the final session as India claimed a 17-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Kohli, who blasted 135 off 120 balls, was declared Man of the Match.
What both Rohit and Kohli bring to the Indian side goes far beyond their on-field exploits. In an interview ahead of the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3, Indian pacer Harshit Rana spoke about what it means for young players to share the dressing room with the game’s two giants. The Delhi speedster said the presence of Rohit and Kohli lifts the energy in the camp and inspires the youngsters to push themselves to improve.
“It’s a big deal for me and obviously for the whole team. If such experienced players stay with you in the field and in the dressing room, then the environment of the team is very good,” Rana said ahead of the 2nd ODI against South Africa, speaking about the influence of the senior duo.
“Even if you are off the field, or in the dressing room, it’s a happy environment for the whole team. Everyone looks to better themselves because in their mind, it’s always with the youngsters where they always tell us what we could do better,” he added.
‘It all just makes the series a lot more exciting’ – Temba Bavuma on facing Rohit-Kohli duo
Meanwhile, South African captain Temba Bavuma says his team can’t wait to face Rohit and Kohli once again. The diminutive cricketer was not part of the first one-day international but may replace stand-in captain Aiden Markram in the second on Friday.
“Nothing new, we have come across it. We have been on the bad end of it. But we have also had good times against them. It all just makes the series a lot more exciting,” Bavuma said on facing Rohit and Kohli.
