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'He Showed It By Doing It': Aakash Chopra Lauds Rohit Sharma's Resilient Knock Vs IRE

Rohit Sharma scored a match-winning 52* vs Ireland [AP]Rohit Sharma scored a match-winning 52* vs Ireland [AP]

In an encounter where bowlers made merry, Indian captain Rohit Sharma struck a resilient knock against Ireland in India's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 opener last evening in New York. 

Chasing 97 on a tricky track, Sharma overcame fierce bowling and scored a match-winning 52*  off 37, which included four fours and three sixes, earning praise from former India opener Aakash Chopra.

Speaking on his own YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-commentator lauded Sharma for his knock, which came under testing conditions, ensuring India were never behind the mark. 

"Important for the captain to last long" - Aakash Chopra

"What could have gone wrong in a run chase of 96? The only thing that could have gone wrong was losing early wickets. It was possible that everyone scored 10-15 runs and then, although you would have won the game, the win wouldn't have been enjoyable. In such a scenario, it was important for the captain to last long and play an extended innings, and he showed that by doing it,"

After Virat Kohli's wicket, Rohit added 54 runs with wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, who scored a crucial unbeaten 36 off 26. When Sharma retired hurt, Pant helped India cross the finish line without any hiccups, who also earned compliments from Chopra.

Earlier in the match, Ireland were bundled out for 96, with Hardik Pandya claiming three wickets, and Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah clinching two scalps each. 

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Sharma, who got hit on the arm is fully fit, and will lead India against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue in New York. 

India are currently leading Group A, which apart from Ireland and Pakistan has co-hosts United States of America (USA) and Canada.