NEW DELHI: As the much-awaited India-Pakistan showdown in the ICC Champions Trophy approaches, former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has backed Indian captain Rohit Sharma, calling him a “dangerous” player even when not in peak form.
The arch-rivals will face off in Dubai on Sunday in a match that holds historical significance, with Pakistan leading 3-2 against India in Champions Trophy encounters.
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Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Greatest Rivalry Returns’, Yuvraj emphasised Rohit’s ability to change the course of a game, irrespective of his form.
“In ODIs and white-ball formats, he has been India’s biggest match-winner alongside Virat Kohli. If he is struggling but still gets runs, that is dangerous for the opposition. If he is in form, he will score a century in 60 balls. That is his quality — once he gets going, it’s not just about fours, but also clearing the ropes with sixes,” Yuvraj said.
He also praised Rohit’s dominance against pace, particularly short-pitched bowling, which is often a concern for batters. “Even if someone bowls at 145-150 kmph, Rohit has the ability to hook it effortlessly. His strike rate is always between 120-140, and on his day, he can single-handedly win you the game,” he added.
Rohit has a stellar record against Pakistan, scoring 873 runs in 19 ODIs at an average of 51.35, with two centuries and eight fifties. His highest score of 140 came in the 2019 World Cup.
Pakistan, coming off a disappointing tournament opener against New Zealand, will be eager to repeat their 2017 Champions Trophy final triumph over India.
However, with Rohit leading the charge, India, who beat Bangladesh in their opening game, will look to level the head-to-head record in the prestigious tournament.
