‘You will have to keep your options open’ – India skipper Rohit Sharma opens up about his preparations for the Reverse Sweep and Switch Hit

In a spectacular display of batting prowess, India clinched a thrilling victory against Afghanistan in the third T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Sealing a clean sweep of the three-match series, India broke Pakistan’s record for most clean sweeps in T20Is. The contest featured a riveting second Super Over, ultimately won by India after an intense battle with the visitors.

India’s formidable total of 212 for 4 in the first inning owed much to a scintillating 190-run partnership between captain Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh. Rohit, in particular, stole the show with an unbeaten century, marking his fifth T20I hundred. His innings of 121 runs off 69 deliveries included an impressive tally of 11 boundaries and eight sixes, showcasing his exceptional command over the game.

Reflecting on his exceptional innings and the unconventional reverse sweep that played a pivotal role in the victory, Rohit Sharma revealed that he has been practising it. “I’ve been practising that shot a lot. You have to play these shots if you want to put pressure on the bowler when the ball is spinning and you can’t hit straight. That’s when you have to try something different. I’ve been practising the sweep and reverse sweep for the last two years,” said Rohit.

“I played the shot a couple of times in Test cricket. You should have options, and it’s up to you how to use those options. The ball was spinning and gripping, so I thought it would be better to play with the spin rather than hitting it straight,” Rohit further added.

Rohit Sharma shifts focus to upcoming Test series against England 

Meanwhile, despite Afghanistan’s valiant efforts, the match eventually headed into two Super Overs. The drama unfolded with both teams scoring 16 runs in the first Super Over, but India emerged victorious by scoring 11 runs in the second and restricting Afghanistan to a mere 1 run.

With this win, Rohit Sharma surpassed MS Dhoni‘s record to become India’s most successful captain in T20I cricket, underscoring his leadership prowess. The victory also extended India’s unbeaten streak against Afghanistan in T20Is to 6-0, emphasising their dominance in the format.

Looking ahead, Rohit Sharma and his team will now shift their focus to the upcoming five-match Test series against Ben Stokes‘ England. The series is scheduled to commence on January 25 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The thrilling T20I series has set the stage for a highly anticipated Test series as India seeks to continue their winning momentum against the formidable English side.