IPL: Four of Rohit Sharma’s greatest moments in the tournament
On his 35th birthday, here is a look at the four most glorious moments of Rohit in IPL history.
4. Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals (2020 IPL Final): 68 (51)
By this time, the Mumbai Indians were at the peak of their powers coming into the final. Provided with fast, sporting wickets in the UAE in the first of the Covid-affected seasons of the IPL, Mumbai had it all on their side. Favourable pitches, players of unmatched quality, top form from seniors and juniors alike to mention a few. So when Mumbai Indians took on Delhi Capitals in the final, punters and pundits were unanimous as to which horse was winning.
Like Dhoni in 2015, Shreyas Iyer won the toss. But unlike Dhoni, the young captain of rejuvenated Delhi Capitals chose to bat. Again, the toss was the only thing Rohit’s opposition won in the final. Except for Rishabh Pant, who scored his first fifty of IPL 2020, and captain Shreyas, nobody else was able to counter the incisive and balanced bowling attack of Mumbai Indians. Former Delhi boys Trent Boult and Jayant Yadav (drafted in for this very match) wreaked havoc in the early stage itself, leaving DC with too high a mountain to climb. Bringing in off-spinner Jayant against Delhi’s left-hander heavy batting line-up was a highly successful manoeuvre from Rohit.
Chasing a gettable 157, Rohit and De Kock needed to make sure that the advantage wrested by the bowlers was not conceded. And they did not fail. When De Kock went for a brisk 20 (12), Mumbai’s talisman Suryakumar Yadav hit a six and a four off his first two balls, reflecting the level of confidence MI were playing at.
However, the star of the show was Rohit Sharma. Usually a slow starter, he took on Ashwin at the very start, never looking behind. Hitting Praveen Dubey for two sixes in three balls in the ninth over, Rohit never let the required rate creep up. With able support from Suryakumar and Ishan Kishan, he stroked his way to a magnificent captain’s innings of 68 from 51 balls. By the time he was dismissed, winning was a mere formality for MI. Winning his sixth title in six IPL final appearances, and five of those as captain, Rohit is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars the league is ever likely to put on show.
– Amritanshu Airy
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