Virat Kohli, a former captain of India, reportedly inquired of Ravichandran Ashwin about a batter who was a “captain’s nightmare.” Ashwin responded by asking for MS Dhoni’s name, but Kohli claimed it was Rohit Sharma. Ashwin posted the whole conversation he had with Kohli a few years back on his YouTube account.
The “Hitman” has recently been in fantastic shape, particularly after a dry spell during the IPL 2023 season. After the IPL, Rohit was having trouble scoring runs, but the West Indies trip has helped the 36-year-old find his flow again.
The Indian skipper has been hitting runs easily, recording three fifties in four Asia Cup 2023 games. This will be a huge help for the Men in Blue as Rohit is entering his purple patch just in time for the ICC ODI World Cup at home in October and November.
The swashbuckling opener defeated Pakistan by a score of 11 runs in the group stage match in Pallekele, but he then went on to hit an undefeated 74 against Nepal, a 56-run inning against Pakistan in Colombo, and a further 53-run knock against Sri Lanka.
The fact that Rohit can destroy any bowling attack in the world makes it understandable why Kohli called him a “captain’s nightmare” when he noted that if the “Hitman” is batting in the last overs of a T20 match, a bowler simply won’t know where to bowl him.
In his most recent YouTube video, Ashwin discussed his conversation with Virat from about six years ago.
Virat Kohli and I had a conversation when Rohit was batting five or six years ago. I cannot recall which game it was. I remember wondering, ‘Where do you even bowl to him?’ when Rohit was batting, Ashwin remembered.
“You wouldn’t know where to bowl Rohit if he’s set after 15-20 overs. Do you know who is a captain’s nightmare at the death? Virat questioned me. I questioned, ‘Is it (MS) Dhoni?’” the spin magician said.
“No, it’s Rohit, Kohli said. I questioned him why, and he said, “You won’t know where to bowl.” Where would you bowl in a T20 if Rohit Sharma is still batting at the conclusion of the 16th over? He has all the tricks in his sleeve, and he once played an unbelievable knock at Chinnaswamy Stadium that Kohli, it appears, will never forget.
In addition, Kohli just blasted his third ODI century in the year 2023, which is positive news for Men in Blue supporters ahead of the Asia Cup final and the home World Cup.
