We don’t know whether it was Rohit Sharma’s new trick or just plain improvisation, but it might start a trend among new-age batsmen as a go-to solution to avoid getting stumped. Especially when the ball is out of his arc.
The Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper came down the track to hit Rajasthan Royals (RR) bowler for a biggie, but realised that he would not be able to get through. With the ball going down the leg side, it was clear that he would not be able to get his bat down on time.
Just as it looked like he was going to get stumped, Rohit used his leg to prevent the ball from going to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson’s gloves.
Smart fottball skills to save stumping @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/lCF286S52D
— ROHITism ™ (@ROHITism_) April 13, 2019
The move surprised everyone including Gowtham and Samson, who thought they had outfoxed the batsman premeditating a big shot down the track. Samson even fell sideways on the ground hoping for the ball to deflect and land in his gloves somehow. Rohit laughed it off, and breathing a sigh of relief after saving his wicket.
Twitter seemed amused by Rohit’s unique move which would have made a wicketkeeper like MS Dhoni scratch his head:
No one Claver like a Hitman
— Enos Raina (@EnosRaina1) April 13, 2019
That is why they practice football also
— shivaram nunna (@Iamshivaram25) April 13, 2019
#MIvRR when u strongly fix to play a good innings and one bowler is trying to be clever then u r more clever @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/wtiDbV586h
— Likith 45 (@45Likith) April 13, 2019
Rohit Sharma showing his #Football skills. May be this is why #TeamIndia warms up playing football. #Hitman #RohitSharma #MIvRR pic.twitter.com/yZGOvg8Bs5
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) April 13, 2019
Only #RohitSharma can play Football while holding a Cricket bat in his hands.
L-E-G-E-N-D #MIvRR #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/x7ZkdWbXFZ
— Chowkidar Piyush Shahi (@Piyushkshahi) April 13, 2019
However, the MI opener could not add a substantial number of runs to his tally after that. He missed out on his half-century scoring 47 runs off 32 deliveries sharing a destructive 96-run opening partnership with Quinton de Kock.
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