ESPN Cricinfo picks Indian Captain as best performance in year 2024 in Men's T20I

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 13:57:49 GMT

Rohit Sharma said he needed "to be smart" and "open up all sides of the field" to counter the strong breeze at the Daren Sammy Stadium in a Super Eight game of the T20 World Cup 2024 against an Australia bowling attack that tried to use that same breeze to make life difficult for him. He was smart enough on the day, hitting a 41-ball 92 with seven fours and eight sixes to lead India to a 24-run win and a spot in the semi-finals as the Group 1 toppers.

Rohit Sharma 92 vs Australia
T20 World Cup Super Eight, Gros Islet
Rohit's ultra-aggressive approach brought him great success during the 2023 ODI World Cup, but he wasn't able to replicate it at the T20 World Cup. Then came the match against Australia. In a high-stakes contest, he smashed 92 off 41 to seal India's semi-final spot. As long as he was at the crease, it was a one-man show. Of India's first 52 runs, 50 came from Rohit's bat alone. He hit Mitchell Starc for four sixes and a four in one over before depositing a Pat Cummins slower ball on the roof of the stadium. In all, he hit seven fours and eight sixes and paved the way for a 200-plus total.

ESPN Cricinfo picks Rohit Sharma's 92 vs Australia as the best batting performance of the year 2024 in Men's T20I. 🔥

- The Hitman magic....!!!! pic.twitter.com/3soU1mjRuW
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 13, 2025

ALSO SEE : Rajat Patidar's reaction after becoming captain

Rohit Performance against Australia :

In Mitchell Starc's second over, Rohit took him for 29 runs in seven balls - 6, 6, 4, 6, 0, wd, 6 - and there needed to be seven balls because, by the end, Starc wasn't too keen on bowling straight.

India could only score five boundaries in their last six overs. Rohit probably knew something like that would happen as the ball got older and the field spread out, so he took it upon himself to go early and go hard. This innings wasn't just about power-hitting. It was about clear thinking.