'He is next level batsman' - Mohammed Shami praises Rohit Sharma for his batting skills

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has lauded India opener Rohit Sharma for his brilliant batting skills. Since 2013 when the latter started opening the innings in the limited-overs format for India, Rohit’s career has changed completely and has amassed the most runs at the top of the order than anyone else. And no wonder his teammate Shami is overawed with the way he bats.

The Bengal pacer praised Rohit Sharma while he was on a live Instagram session with former India cricketer Irfan Pathan recently. Shami termed the 32-year-old as the perfect package when he is batting. He also watched Rohit closely during the World Cup last year where he smashed five centuries and played a crucial role in keeping India at the top of the points table in the league stage.

Moreover, even Irfan also compared his batting to poetry and said, “Sometimes, while I am commentating and watching Rohit Sharma play, I feel he is not a cricketer, but a poet. He bats as smooth as butter, like a poem. The bowlers don’t even realise that he is slamming, and he keeps on slamming.”

Even as a bowler, you get to learn when Rohit bats, says Shami

Mohammed Shami, in response to Irfan’s statement showered praises on his teammate stating that even as a bowler, one gets to learn when Rohit Sharma bats. He also termed his as next level batsman during the conversation. “Exactly. I feel he is a package – to learn and to show what is cricket. He is pure batsman. If he is batting, you will get to learn a lot.

“He will hit bowlers, and you get to learn. If you are a batsman, you get to see how much time he has to play a shot. You will also see how to bat in different conditions. He is a next level batsman. He is the best package,” Shami said. During the live session, the fast bowler also revealed some of the interesting anecdotes and also named Ishant Sharma as his best bowling partner.

“Ishant is really funny. For me, as a fast bowler, he is the best partner. He has massive confidence, and great experience. As a human, on-field, and off-field, he is a great person. He is my best buddy,” he further added.