Rohit Sharma opens up about his toughest bowling challenge

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently shared insights into his illustrious career, revealing the bowler who has posed the greatest challenge for him. Despite facing numerous formidable opponents, Sharma singled out former South African pacer Dale Steyn as particularly tough, though he stopped short of labeling it a “nightmare” experience. Sharma, known for his exceptional skills in white-ball cricket, has amassed over 10,000 runs in ODIs and more than 4,000 runs in T20Is, cementing his status as one of India’s premier batsmen.

In the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India, Sharma led the national team to the final match without conceding a single defeat. However, the team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Australia in the final in Ahmedabad on November 19, despite their impressive journey to the summit clash.

Looking ahead, the 37-year-old cricketer is gearing up to lead India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA. India, under Sharma’s leadership, finds itself grouped with Ireland, Canada, the USA, and Pakistan, with all league matches slated to be held in the USA.

“I’ve watched his videos like 100 times before I went to bat…”

During a podcast on Dubai Eye 103.8, Sharma lauded Dale Steyn’s prowess, acknowledging the challenges of facing the legendary South African bowler. Despite not always coming out on top in their encounters, Sharma expressed admiration for Steyn’s ability to swing the ball at pace, labeling him as an “absolute legend” of the game.

“Facing Dale Steyn from South Africa was not a nightmare, but I’ve watched his videos like 100 times before I went to bat. He is an absolute legend of the game, and what he has achieved in his career is just superb to watch. I’ve faced him many times,” said Rohit Sharma.

“He used to swing the ball at a pace which was never easy. He was a fierce competitor, always wanting to do everything for the team and win every game and every session. It was nice to come up against him, not that I had huge success against him, but I enjoyed my battle,” he added.

A closer look at Sharma’s IPL journey with MI

Currently plying his trade for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Sharma’s stint has been marked by ups and downs. Although he relinquished the captaincy before the start of the season, MI’s campaign ended prematurely as they became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.

Sharma’s individual performance in the IPL has seen fluctuations as well. Initially enjoying success with 297 runs in the first seven games at an average of 49.50 and a strike rate of 164.09, his form waned, resulting in a disappointing overall tally of 349 runs in 13 matches at an average of 29.08 and a strike rate of 145.42.

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Fans eagerly await Sharma’s next appearance when the Mumbai Indians take on the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium, on May 17, Friday. With a formidable squad featuring the likes of Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and others, Sharma will be keen to make a significant impact and lead his team to victory in the upcoming encounter.