'That’s presence, that’s aura' - Kevin Pietersen on fans' craze for Rohit Sharma

India are currently involved in the second ODI against England at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. This is an opportunity for the visitors to make a comeback after the loss in Nagpur and a chance for the Indian side to claim another home series win against the England side. 

Though it was a comfortable victory for the Men in Blue in the first match there was still criticism emerging in relation to Rohit Sharma's form who, despite leading the side well, failed to make an impact with the bat. Though Rohit did not perform with the bat there was still a lot of respect given to him by the England players and the crowd continued to cheer for him.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen talked about the presence and aura of the two-time T20 World Champion and expressed how fascinating it was to see him get a lot of love from the fans. 

“When Rohit Sharma stepped onto the field, the cameras captured the England dressing room. The moment the crowd erupted in cheers, the entire England team turned their gaze towards him. That’s presence, that’s aura—something he has built over time. Not just because of his name, but because of the sheer weight of his performances, his consistency, and the incredible numbers he has put up,” said Pietersen while speaking to Star Sports. 

“It’s truly extraordinary. The moment Rohit leaves the dressing room, the entire stadium roars in excitement. It’s a testament to how massive these stars are. That’s why I always stress—cherish these legends while they are still playing. Just look at the raw emotions in the stands when someone like Rohit takes those steps onto the field," the 2010 T20 World Cup winner added. 

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Speaking of the match in Cuttack, England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bat first. India made two changes, bringing in Virat Kohli for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Varun Chakravarthy for Kuldeep Yadav. England, on the other hand, made three changes bringing Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and Mark Wood into the playing XI.