Image Source: AFP
[Saba Sports News] India clinched the five-match Test series against England with a decisive 4-1 victory, concluding with an emphatic win by an innings and 64 runs at Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
Despite an initial setback after losing the first match, India, under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, overturned a 190-run first-innings deficit to mount a formidable comeback. With key players KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja missing, Sharma spearheaded the turnaround with a significant win in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, although his early individual performances were underwhelming, marked by modest scores.
Geoffrey Boycott, the former England cricketer, was critical of Sharma’s early series form, suggesting age was impacting his cricketing prowess. Yet, Sharma responded with centuries in Rajkot and Dharamsala, decisively contributing to India’s series victory.
Post-victory, he addressed speculation about his future, indicating a readiness to retire only if he felt his performance waned, but affirmed his current form was among his career’s best.
“One day, when I wake up and feel I am not good enough, then I will retire straightaway. But in the last few years, I am playing the best cricket of my life,” Rohit shared.
Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach, commended Sharma for his crucial contributions, especially highlighting his centurial innings in Rajkot and Dharamsala, which were pivotal in India’s series success. Sharma’s resurgence was underlined by his series tally of 400 runs, featuring vital knocks that not only countered his critics but also emphasized his importance to the team in challenging situations, thereby reinforcing his stature within the squad.
“Rohit Sharma has been exceptional in this series. In Rajkot, when we were 3 down inside the first hour, we needed someone to get us that hundred. In Ranchi also, he batted amazingly,” Dravid said.