As a school student, I had the company of a peer, who
according to the teachers had scope and the potential to excel. But sadly, when
the results were out, he always underperformed, to the misery of the teachers.
Post the results, the process used to be the same. The teachers used to remind
him of his ability; and motivated by that, he gave his best shot at studies,
but couldn’t get the score he desired. This process carried on for a few years
until one day; he stood out, with brilliant results, stunning everyone by utter
surprise. And the secret behind the success was the self belief he attained in
himself after doing well in a certain exam. One good prelim changed his outlook
at the academics. Then there wasn’t any looking back.
This inspiring anecdote can be related to the cricketing
world as well. In the Indian cricket circle, this student is known as ROHIT
SHARMA. The case of the TALENTED Rohit Sharma is very similar to the student.
Well, the term talent has become synonymous
with Sharma now for quite sometime.
THE MILLION DOLLAR SMILE
Even before making his international debut against Ireland,
Sharma was termed as the “NEXT BIG THING” in Indian cricket. His appetite for
runs in the domestic circuit was simply intimidating. After all, he too came
from the Bombay School of Batsman ship, which has reputed names under its
wings. It all started for Rohit Sharma, in a summer camp, where the head coach,
impressed by Sharma’s talent, handpicked him. Then began the vigorous training
for the talented Sharma. From the Giles
Shield to the Ranji Trophy, his exploits with the bat were well known. The
selectors took no time in noticing this, and he was drafted into the side, for
India’s UK tour in the summer of 2007.
However, Sharma hogged the limelight in a must-win ICC World
T20 match against South Africa. India were struggling at 33-3, when Sharma
walked out in the middle. He stayed there till the end, and along with skipper
M.S.Dhoni, ensured that India got to a respectable total. Rohit got his maiden
T20 50 in his debut innings. That innings lasting 40 balls, defined maturity
and resilience, against the lethal South African bowling attack. India went on
to win the match courtesy of Rohit’s maturity. In the much hyped final against
Pakistan, Rohit scored a vital 30 off just 16 deliveries. Those 30 runs went on
to become a part of history.
All was going well for the elegant batsman, and he once
again proved his ability with the bat in the first final of the CB series in Australia.
That night in Sydney is much remembered for Sachin Tendulkar’s century in a
tough chase. But little do people remember about Rohit’s crucial knock of 66.
Those 66 runs were no less than a century. India won that game with ease in the
end, and once again, went on to script history.
The next few months were moderate for Rohit as he remained
in and out of the team. He was often given chances in dead rubbers, when the
seniors were rested. But forlornly, he couldn’t make a mark in the given
chances. In Feb 2010, he was all set for a test debut, as a replacement for the
injured VVS Laxman, but that was when tragedy struck. Thirty minutes before the
toss, Rohit was ruled out with an ankle injury, which he inflicted upon himself
in a practice session. Who knew that Rohit would have to wait for more than 40
months, to play in the most unadulterated form of the game!
In the upcoming months, Rohit did very little of notice and
could never justify his talent. The classy Mumbai batsman, wasn’t even
considered for the 2011 World Cup. That simply left him crestfallen. During
that phase, there came a point when Rohit began doubting his own ability.
People often compared Rohit to a football sensation, Wayne Rooney. The reason
though was quite infamous. One newspaper headline drew a similarity between the
two in the following way.
“GREAT FOR THE CLUB, POOR FOR THE COUNTRY.”
The club in this case was his IPL side, Mumbai Indians.
Rohit did profusely well in the IPL, and was often in the list of the leading
run getters. But to everyone’s misery, he couldn’t do so in the national
attire. Shortly after the victorious World Cup campaign, India toured the
Caribbean. Rohit flourished there scoring 257 runs in 5 games, at a mesmerizing
average of 128.5. In the return series in India as well after 6 months, Rohit
did profusely well, and once again was awarded the Man of the Series.
Just when things were getting back on track, Rohit possibly
had to go through the worst part of his career. In a bilateral series against
Sri Lanka, Rohit scored a mere 12 runs in 5 matches. The sad part was that, the
bowling wasn’t that great and the pitches too were to the liking of the
batsmen. Post that series, several jokes mocking Sharma went viral like a rage.
One infamous joke arose, stating Sharma to be a “MAGGI MAN”. It meant that by
the time the maggi noodles were cooked, Rohit was all, but on his way back to
the dressing room.
Inspite of going through a horrendous run, it was skipper MS
Dhoni who persisted with Rohit and had complete faith in him. It was one fine
evening in the picturesque PCA stadium in Mohali, which radiated vibes of
optimism back in the dashing Sharma. Chasing a modest total of 258, Sharma, to
the surprise of everyone, was promoted to open the innings. What followed in
the due course of the next 90 minutes was no less than a fairy tale. Rohit went
on to score 83. 83 runs of sheer class and elegance. Just when he was looking
set for a ton, he was wrongly adjudged LBW, much to the disappointment of all
the spectators.
However, a new Rohit Sharma had taken birth. A Rohit with
more maturity and responsibility. Amidst his purple patch, he was promoted to
the captaincy of the lucrative IPL franchise, the Mumbai Indians. He stood out
with the bat, and led the team efficiently to their maiden IPL title.
AFTER LEADING MUMBAI INDIANS TO IPL GLORY
The
Champions Trophy in England, was another high for Rohit. Sharma along with
Shikhar Dhawan laid solid foundations for India in all the Champions Trophy
games. The first match against South Africa in the Champions Trophy set the
tone for Sharma, who scored yet another classy 50. Sharma did exceedingly well
in seaming conditions, and was at ease against all the bowlers. He along with
Dhawan, provided solid starts for India, and these starts eventually led India
to glory.
Rohit Sharma celebrates with some bhangra, England v India,
Champions Trophy final, Edgbaston, June 23, 2013
In the tri series in West Indies, featuring India and Sri
Lanka along with the hosts too was like a dream for Sharma. In yet another
victorious campaign for India, Rohit stood out, and was adjudged the “MOST
RELIABLE BATSMAN”. He led Mumbai Indians to another title glory. This time the
Champions League T20. The Mumbai Indians
were down and almost out of the tournament, but Rohit’s heroics once
again stood out. Along with MS Dhoni, Rohit became the only captain to lead an
IPL side to a ‘twin’ victory.
By now, Rohit had established himself as an opener and along
with Shikhar Dhawan, formed a formidable opening pair. His next outing was
against the staunch Aussies. In the second match of the seven match series,
India needed 360 to win. A task that seemed literally impossible at the half
way mark, was accomplished with utter ease . Rohit along with Dhawan got India
off to a scintillating start. Once Dhawan got out, Rohit along with Virat
Kohli, chased the target with 40 balls to spare. Hard to imagine isn’t it?
In that chase, Rohit scored a breath taking 146* off just
123 balls. This was his first three digit score in more than 3 years. Rohit was
simply blossoming in the ODI series, but as always, the best was saved for the
end. In the decider at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, India were put in to bat by
George Bailey. Little did Bailey know that he would be on the receiving end of the
RoHITMAN. The Mumbai dasher went on to rewrite historic records and scored only
the third double century in ODI’s. As many as 16 maximums were hit, which are a
record in itself. Rohit was out in the last over for an unbelievable score of 209.
Rohit associated another unique record to himself; of scoring the most number
of runs in a bilateral series.
Rohit Sharma is elated after scoring his first century in three years,
India v Australia, 2nd ODI, Jaipur, October 16, 2013
Rohit Sharma celebrates his double-century off 156 balls,
India v Australia, 7th ODI, Bangalore, November 2, 2013
His next brilliance was in the ultimate form of the game. Rohit
finally made his test debut against West Indies, which was also Sachin
Tendulkar’s farewell series. In his debut test, on a treacherous Eden Gardens
pitch against a menacing Shane Shillingford, Rohit scored a knock worth
remembering. 177 runs of sheer excellence and dominance were scored from the
blade of Rohit Sharma. And it was a shame that once again, as he neared a
milestone, he was wrongly adjudged LBW. But that didn’t stop him from scoring
yet another ton in the epic Wankhede Test. Rohit along with the number eleven
Mohammad Shami shared a partnership of 80 runs.
Rohit has finally proved his critics wrong and is all set
for a bright future. He has cemented his place in the limited overs team as an
opener, and his status as a test batsman too justifies his talent. With
numerous overseas tours lined up, and the 2015 ICC World Cup, Rohit’s
contribution to the Indian team will be extremely crucial. He along with
Pujara, Kohli and Dhawan is a part of the modern fab four. India’s success in
the near future will depend greatly upon Rohit’s performance. "Rohit Sharma
performing well in the not so distant future", is just an understatement at the
moment.
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