Rohit Sharma walked away with the Participant of the Match award in a difficult IPL 2025 Eliminator match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh on Friday after benefiting from two early reprieves in his innings.
Dropped within the second over by GT pacer Gerald Coetzee off a top-edge flick down at deep backward sq. leg, Rohit received one other lifeline within the subsequent over when wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis spilled his rash swipe throughout the road. Cashing in on the probabilities, Rohit anchored MI to a blistering begin alongside Jonny Bairstow earlier than notching up his highest rating of the season. Rohit holed out on 81 off 50 deliveries as MI posted 228 for 5 in an eventual 20-run victory.
Former India pacer Varun Aaron stated the dropped catches helped Rohit discover his groove once more whereas swinging arduous for maximums. “After he bought these couple of lives, it awoke the dragon in him. He was like, you recognize what, I’m simply going to go hell for leather-based and he batted very well. Particularly that Sai Kishore over, these few sweeps he hit over sq. leg have been simply classic Rohit Sharma. And if you’re going to bowl brief to Rohit Sharma, try to be praying to God. You possibly can’t bowl brief to him,” Aaron instructed on ESPNcricinfo.
Regardless of placing 4 fifties this season, Rohit hasn’t been at his flowing finest with the bat and the previous MI skipper admitted having discovered some luck by the innings towards the Titans.
“I’ve bought solely 4 fifties. I might have undoubtedly appreciated to attain extra. It was an excellent day for us as a workforce. I do perceive the significance of taking part in this Eliminator, going by this and taking the following step ahead. Actually pleased with a whole workforce effort,” stated Rohit on the post-match presentation.
“To be sincere, I’ve performed these photographs earlier than within the event and sadly, I’ve discovered fielders. Someplace down the road, you bought to be fortunate, and as we speak was that day for me. I bought fortunate as these catches have been dropped. However even after that, you bought to play. I used to be focussing on holding the momentum and tempo going,” he added after crossing 7000 IPL runs and 300 sixes in the course of the knock.