As India gears up for their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, captain Rohit Sharma has shown his focus on preparation, making headlines with his praise for a local bowler, Awais Ahmad. During the Indian team’s practice sessions in Dubai, a particular bowling performance stood out as Ahmad challenged Sharma with his lethal inswinging yorkers.
The Indian squad underwent two intense training sessions in Dubai, a crucial part of their build-up to the opening match on Thursday. Rohit Sharma, who made an impressive return to form with a 119-run knock against England in the second ODI, looked sharp in the nets. During the session, he worked on late cuts and fine touch shots to fine-tune his game.
However, it was the bowling of Ahmad that caught the attention of India’s captain. The local left-arm fast bowler, who has recently undergone a masterclass under the guidance of Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir, caused considerable discomfort to Rohit Sharma with his inswinging yorkers. Despite the challenge, Rohit was full of praise for Ahmad’s bowling skills, describing him as a “class bowler.”
In a video that quickly went viral, Rohit can be seen complimenting Ahmad, saying, “Class bowler. Aap humare joota… pair todne ki kosish kar rahe the inswinging yorker maar ke. Badiya bhai badiya. Aap log humko yaha help kar rahe ho, bada acha laga, thank you.” (You were trying to break my leg with those inswinging yorkers. Great bowling. I’m grateful for the help you guys provided in training.)
Ahmad’s bowling, with its pace and precision, made a lasting impression on Rohit, who acknowledged the valuable assistance the local bowlers had provided during the session. Ahmad’s performance with the inswinging yorkers highlighted his potential to challenge top-class players in international cricket.
Rohit’s interaction with Ahmad also points to the significance of warm-up sessions before big tournaments like the Champions Trophy. The Indian captain, who has had his share of battles against top bowlers, especially Mohammad Amir, was notably tested by Ahmad’s challenging deliveries. Amir, known for his ability to trouble Rohit, had dismissed him in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, and their past encounters in white-ball cricket have been marked by Amir’s success over Rohit, including dismissals in both ODIs and T20Is.
Rohit Sharma’s recent form has become a point of focus ahead of the Champions Trophy, especially after a period of low scores. Despite concerns surrounding his form, he silenced the critics with a commanding 119 runs against England earlier this month. This performance was a welcome return to form for the seasoned opener, and as the tournament draws nearer, Rohit’s return to peak form has increased expectations for his final ODI campaign.
The 37-year-old has played a pivotal role in India’s cricketing success over the years, having made an impact since his transition to opening the batting in the 2013 Champions Trophy. Rohit’s transformation into one of the world’s most successful openers has seen him score over 9000 runs in ODIs, with 30 centuries to his name.
As Rohit heads into what is expected to be his final ODI tournament, all eyes are on his performance. He will look to add another prestigious title to his already decorated career. With the guidance of experienced coaches and the support of fellow cricketers, including valuable practice sessions in Dubai, Rohit Sharma is poised to make a lasting impact in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
This series of intense practice sessions, challenging opponents, and his focus on fine-tuning his skills show that Rohit Sharma is ready to take on the best and lead India in their quest for another Champions Trophy title.
