WATCH: Rohit’s ’35th-36th’ birthday counter leaves commentators in awe. Cricket
Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians got back to winning ways with a six-wicket win versus Rajasthan Royals in Match 42 of IPL 2023, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. Chasing a target of 213, MI rode on some fine batting from Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David and Cameron Green to post 214/4 in 19.3 overs. Suryakumar scored a 29-ball 55 to register a half-century during the chase. Meanwhile, Tim David scored an unbeaten 45 off 14 balls and Green scored 44 off 26 balls. For the bowling department of RR, Ravichandran Ashwin took two wickets.
At the outset, RR posted 212/7 in 20 overs with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting a century. The RR opener scored 124 off 62 balls. Arshad Khan was in good bowling form for MI and took three wickets, Piyush Chawla took two wickets.
In the post-match press conference, Rohit troubled Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle with an epic counter. Wishing Rohit on his birthday, Harsha said, “Today everything happened. 150th match as captain, 190th for Mumbai Indians, 36th birthday and as it happened last year.”
“35th, not 36th”, replied Rohit.
“Oh, they gave you another one. Good improvement”, replied Harsha.
“No, no, 36th,” Rohit said with a laugh.
On a personal note, Rohit will be aiming to find some form and could only register three runs from five balls against RR. After the win, MI are currently seventh in the league standings with eight points from eight matches, with four wins and four losses. Rohit will aim to score the winning runs and challenge for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Rohit also commented on the comparison between David and former player Kieron Pollard. He said, “Big shoes to fill, Polly won us so many championships over so many years. But Tim has so much ability and power. In the back end, having that power keeps the bowler thinking.”
On Jaiswal’s ton, he said, “I saw him last year, this year he has taken his game to a new level. I asked him from where so much power is coming, he says he spends time in the gym. He is giving them time.” Really good. Good for him, good for Indian cricket and good for RR.
