Though Rohit Sharma did not get to don the whites in the recently concluded Test series, he was recently made the vice-captain India’s ODI squad’s and will be playing against Sri Lanka in the five-match ODI series starting on August 20. As it turns out, it’s not just Rohit who is going to make a comeback in the ODI series, but so will Lasith Malinga on the Sri Lankan side. Malinga will spearhead Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in absence of strike bowlers Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal.
Rohit showed a splendid form during ICC Champions Trophy 2017, leading the team from the front and getting India off to great starts along with opener Shikhar Dhawan. As he had had a knee surgery before he returned for the ICC Champions trophy, he was given rest for India’s tour of West Indies so as avoid exertion. Skipper Virat Kohli had revealed that because Rohit had been playing back to back in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 followed by ICC Champions Trophy 2017, therefore, he needed to rest which he hadn’t had in a while.
Rohit Sharma’s secret weapon
“Everyday is a learning day, today I got to learn something playing those sweeps and reverse-sweeps when someone like Malinga comes and bowls to you. It is something that the game demands these days. You got to be innovative and you got to play different kind of shots to get maximum results, ” Sharma told reporters on the sidelines during a practice session ahead of the ODI series.
Thrilling contest between teammates
Rohit will be facing his Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate Malinga when he comes to the crease. It’ll be interesting to see if Rohit will play innovative shots to keep up with the dynamic nature of limited overs game. One can expect him to surprise the veteran fast bowlers with a few reverse sweeps – something that, even a few decades ago, was considered bizarre to play off fast bowlers.
