Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik heaped praise on Rohit Sharma for his measured knock in the third ODI against the West Indies in a tough situation, highlighting that his outing showed why he will be crucial for India in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. India lost their captain, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli in the first three overs, and with conditions offering a bite for the fast bowlers, the Men in Blue were under the pump in the third rubber at the CA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
However, Rohit dropped the anchor and negated the tough period with Ruturaj Gaikwad before smashing 92 from 85 balls. Taking note of how Rohit sailed the ship through the tough shores before cashing in, former cricketers Karthik and Ajinkya Rahane heaped praise on the former captain, with the former highlighting that his innings proved why he will be crucial for the Men in Blue in the 2027 World Cup. “And then you see how quickly he moved to 92 after scoring less than a run-a ball. His strike rate went above 100, but he made that all up in the next 40 balls. In the first 40 balls, he took time, didn’t allow wickets to fall and then in the next 40 balls, he went and smashed,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
He observed the situation and put up a strong partnership with Ruturaj before cashing in against spinners later,” Rahane said. Rahane also praised Rohit for his knock. “It seemed the first time that the bowlers were getting help. West Indies had a good chance. But the way Rohit handled it was well; he left several balls, did not attack as he used to.
