The Hitman Returns

 

 

When I had checked the score last for India’s Innings for yesterday’s match, it was 260 for 2. I didn’t care about Rohit’s score but was anticipating for Virat’s century. C’mon, it’s Srilanka after all, his bunny. And then suddenly, out of nowhere Rohit Sharma wanted this second run when the fielder already had the ball. Result – V Kohli run out 66 (64). I so hate you Mr. Rohit Sharma, I cursed (add few cuss words) and shut my TV. But then a little thought crossed my mind; last time, he got VK run out, he actually went on to score a double century. When I woke up later in the evening, Srilanka were down 4 wickets chasing 405 and Rohit Sharma had contributed 264 of them.

Frankly, somehow I have never liked Rohit. I had this senior in hostel who would claim that he used to play with Rohit Sharma in some cricket academy and he went on to say that once he threw way his expensive pads whose buckles were torn. Rohit requested him if he didn’t want them, could he take them. My senior nodded. Rohit took them to some cobbler who stitched the buckles and next day, he scored a hundred wearing those pads. I don’t know how much true this story was but then I had some personal issues with this senior of mine, so for some stupid logic, I started disliking Rohit too.

He was always annoying to me in some or other way. If he plays as an opener, Sehwag is not making comeback and which shifts Rahane to middle order which means Yuvi is not going to world cup. Both these players are my favourites. In 2009, he hit 26 off the last over and denied my favourite IPL team KKR a consolatory victory. In the Sachin Farewell tournament, he not only made his Test debut but also scored back to back centuries which actually costed two of Sachin’s last innings. When the world was crying not to see Sachin play again, this man was celebrating his maiden Man of the Series. Last year when he had scored 209, I had managed to take my crush out for a date and this year when Rohit was cherishing his innings, I and my crush don’t even talk to each other. Rohit is only good at spoiling my mood.

No matter, I had been a very harsh critic of him. There had been many times that I joined Sri Lankan fans in trolling him for his hidden talent jokes. One of my colleagues broke up with his girlfriend and I consoled him by saying that she wasn’t worth it because she is a Rohit Sharma Fan.  5 0 0 5 4 is actually not some pin code number of some town but his scores from Sri-Lanka tour in 2012. I still remember some commenter said after he got out “Go home Son, you can’t play.” There was this guy in my Facebook friend list with the same name who went on to post –

‘Dear Rohit Sharma,

Stop embarrassing me or change your name.

Regards,

Another Rohit Sharma.’

Rohit is the slowest Indian to score 3000 in terms of innings. If his two double centuries are removed, his batting average becomes 33 and strike comes to early 70. He is hopeless in front of swinging red ball. He had always been accused of consuming too many balls early in his innings and put the pressure on Dhawan and Kohli. He neither has a flamboyant attitude nor an aggressive body language. Neil Nitin Mukesh is more expressive than him. He neither flaunts a cool moustache nor dates a Bollywood heroine. His physique reminds you of some Pakistani cricketer of mid 90s. He is probably one of the most hated cricketers.

So, where does this man settle things? 209 & 264? Yes. He is right now the most trending topic in all social networks over taking Mr. Vadra. #AreYouSerious.

For years we would get excited every time someone entered 170 score but somehow the 194 hurdle seemed beyond reach. Even God took it 21 years to conquer the milestone and it wasn’t surprising actually when Sehwag surpassed Sachin. But then how come this man, No-Hit Sharma! Doing it twice in 12 months. So this was all that hidden talent he had which we had been hearing so often from greats since Afridi was 24 years old. If Ravi Shastri called Sachin a super man for scoring 200 what will he call Rohit? Not only he did it twice but he now took it to point which actually is unconquerable. 33 boundaries is actually difficult to hit even in EA Cricket and he does it live.

You see there is always some sort of connection with some records and some players. Only certain players deserve certain records, those combinations actually become exclusive. They compete with themselves and break their own records. Whether it be Brain Lara scoring 375* and 400* or Sachin’s 49 ODI and 51 Test centuries or Sehwag’s 309 & 319, history repeats itself. Having said that, I need to also agree that every record is meant to be broken and talking about Rohit’s 264, what are the chances that it would be broken in future?

You see to score double hundred; the batsman has to play 50 overs since he would definitely need at least 150 balls to reach there. Preferably, he has to be an opener because a middle order batsman coming so early to bat can’t play so freely. He should have the ability to hit the ball with great timing because after the batsman reaches 150, he needs to hit two boundaries in every over. He should also have variety of shots to counter; yorker, half volley, short ball, leg spin, off spin, googly; the batsman should know to send each one of them out of park. Step out, pick the length early and make sure you always play on front foot. Never get carried away and always know where are the fielders even though you’re playing a blinder. You need not be a good running between the wickets. More you avoid singles, more you stay on strike and also you don’t waste energy on running. Cricket being a team support, you can’t reach such scores without a good support which actually reduces the pressure on the batsman. And last but the most important quality, the batsman has to be an Indian.

Whether Rohit or someone else break this record, it actually doesn’t matter. He has already made to the hall of fame. He just needs to be more consistent especially overseas and justify the faith on him by the selectors because every time, he throws away his wicket with a stupid shot, he is actually doing injustice to those thousands of wannabes who didn’t get chance. I wonder what impact will this innings make on him both personally or professionally. (Hope that Yaami Gautam doesn’t start dating him) But at least he has now two haters less. One is me and the other one is Michael Vaughan.

Rohit Sharma. Take a bow. So proud of you.