Rohit in roaring form

The opener adds 138 off 79 deliveries with Kohli as India makes 199

October 02, 2015 10:53 pm | Updated 10:53 pm IST - DHARAMSHALA:

Rohit Sharma struck five sixes and a dozen fours in his 106. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

Rohit Sharma struck five sixes and a dozen fours in his 106. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

Rohit Sharma rode his luck to smash a stroke-filled century, marked by some clean hitting, as India set South Africa a target of 200 in the opening T20 match in front of a packed HPCA Stadium here.

A whirlwind second-wicket stand of 138 off 79 deliveries between Rohit and Virat Kohli helped India reach 199 for five in 20 overs. The fall of four wickets in the last five overs enabled the South Africans keep India within the psychologically-important barrier of 200.

Rohit’s 66-ball 106 studded with five sixes and 12 boundaries was the cornerstone of the Indian innings. Kohli prospered in his company, contributing 43 off 27 deliveries and raising visions of India reaching a score of around 210.

After Faf de Plessis called correctly and chose to field, Rohit was lucky to survive Kyle Abbott’s first over. In fact, he escaped twice off one delivery. After getting the benefit of doubt following a leg-before appeal, Rohit almost ran himself out at the striker’s end. But, off the very next ball, a confidence-boosting boundary past point soothed Rohit’s nerves.

He helped himself to three boundaries, including two off Marchant de Lange, before disaster struck at the start of the fourth over. In an attempt to steal a second run off a misfield, Shikhar Dhawan fell short at the striker’s end.

Living dangerously

Rohit continued to live dangerously when he offered a difficult return catch to a diving de Lange who almost made it left-handed.

Once again, Rohit celebrated the reprieve by hitting a six and a four off Chris Morris. An over later, Kohli gave the same treatment to Morris to show that he too meant business.

At the halfway stage, India was cruising at 86 for one with Rohit on a 42-ball 56, including a six and nine boundaries.

That meant Rohit averaged a big shot every over and justified the strike he enjoyed.

The hundred came in style in the start of the 12th over with Rohit hoisting Tahir for a six over mid-wicket. A run later, Kohli smashed two sixes in succession.

The first one cleared the mid-wicket fence, beating the outstretched hands of Marchant de Lange and brought Kohli his 1000th run in T20 Internationals.

The next ball was deposited over the long-off fence, past Behardien’s hands. With three sixes off four deliveries and 21 runs off the Tahir over, the South African captain’s ‘weapon’ stood truly blunted.

Rohit then targeted Rabada in the next over, smashing him for two sixes.

The century stand for the second wicket was reached during this over, the run-rate climbing past 11 runs per over.

The return of Morris did not help South Africa’s cause. Rohit hit him for two boundaries, the second a mishit, and entered the 90s. After 14 overs, India was 140 for one and the stage was set to put the match beyond the reach of the visitors.

But, it was the 16th over that brought double delight for the South Africans. As seen so often, after a long partnership both batsmen depart in quick succession, and that’s precisely what happened as Abbott got rid of Kohli and Rohit in the space of four deliveries.

Kohli, looking good for a half-century and enjoying Rohit’s exploits from the striker’s end, pulled into the hands of Duminy. Rohit, too, fell to the short ball, pulling it high and Morris bringing off a well-judged catch at long-leg.

These dismissals brought together Suresh Raina and Dhoni. With the 18th over producing 12 runs and taking the score to 182 for three, a total in excess of 200 looked possible.

But, Morris sent back Raina midway through the 19th over before a hesitant Rayudu sacrificed his wicket for his skipper.

Dhoni smashed the next ball to the fence and also kept alive India’s hopes of reaching the 200-mark by retaining strike in the last over. He finished it off in style by hitting a straight six off Abbott, leaving the South Africans to chase 200.

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