'Rohit ka Naam Zayad Nahi Aata Kyunki 100 Nahi Kiya Usne': Akram Lauds Selfless IND Captain - WATCH

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has reserved massive praise for Rohit Sharma for his remarkable batting and leadership in the semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday. The men in blue defeated the Kiwis by 70 runs to storm into the grand finale of the showpiece event. Thus, Rohit became only the fourth Indian captain, after the likes of Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni, to lead his team into the final of an ODI World Cup.

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India posted a mammoth 397 for 4 in 50 overs, riding on Kohli’s record-breaking 50^th ODI ton and stupendous knocks from Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. But it was captain Rohit Sharma’s fast and furious 29-ball 47 which set the tone for India’s superb show with the bat. Later, Mohammed Shami returned 7 for 57 to bundle out the New Zealand for 327.

Akram praised Rohit for his selfless leadership and the knack of providing fiery starts to the Indian innings in almost every game in the ongoing tournament. Speaking on A Sports show ‘The Pavillion’, the pace legend said people don’t Rohit’s name often because he hasn’t score too many hundreds.

“It was a complete performance in every aspect of the game and the skipper leading from the front.

“Uska naam zayad nahi aata kyunki 100 nahi kiya usne ya 150-200 nahi kiye (People don’t talk much about Rohit because he hasn’t got many hundreds) but the kind of start he provides is what we have been speaking about. He batted a strike rate of 162 and piling up 82 in 10 overs, that was the stepping stone,” Akram said.

Look at the shots he played. The pressure certainly mounts on the opposition. And Gill played amazingly well. He has been consistent and he is the future of the Indian team after Rohit and Virat,” he added.

Akram further lauded the batting performance of the Indian team, stating that this line-up can perform anywhere irrespective of the conditions.

“The New Zealand bowling attack seemed pedestrian but credit has to be given to India’s quality batting. People spoke about the pitch change and all, but the way they are playing, agar tum unhein akhaade par bhi khila doge to wo utna hi score karenge (even if you make them bat in some wrestling arena in the countryside, they will score the same amount of runs). They have that kind of confidence and a leader who is leading from the front,” he said.

Akram further lauded Rohit for playing fearlessly and not worrying much about his personal milestones.

“That’s the beauty of Rohit Sharma. Once he starts, he doesn’t stop. He’s not worried about his fifty or hundreds,” Akram concluded.