POWER RANGER: RO-HIT AT THE TOP

Opener's ability to strike at a good rate during the first 10 overs & adapt during middle overs has helped lay the platform for India

- GOMESH S

SHORTLY after India's win against Pakistan in Ahmedabad, Hardik Pandya was mic'd up for BCCI.tv to talk with captain Rohit Sharma. Sharma had followed up his swashbuckling century with a blistering 63-ball 86 to set up the chase for India. He was toying with Pakistan pacers, hitting them across the park for funa knock that had six sixes and as many fours.

To be fair, Sharma has the most international sixes across formats than any other player.

On Saturday, he pulled, lofted (down town as well as over cover), swept, lapped, cut, used his feet, and slogged every Pakistan bowler across the Narendra Modi Stadium.

If the the pull shot he played against Shaheen Shah Afridi - Sharma got into his front foot stride, stood tall and hooked the left-arm pacer into the stands was one for ages, the way he pulled Haris Rauf into square leg, from a similar position would be etched in the memories. Then there was the loft over cover off a slower ball from Rauf.

He made six-hitting look ridiculously easy that anyone could do that. But it is not.