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Pietersen recollected an instant from the opening game of the series that summarised the incredible fan-following team India skipper Rohit commands on home soil. The 44-year-old Englishman shared his take on the moment the crowd erupted as Rohit entered the ground.
Rohit Sharma. (X)
Team India clinched a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against visitors England with a 4-wicket win over the tourists at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha on Thursday.
The hosts bundled out the English batting order for 248 runs before successfully chasing the target down in 38.4 overs to take the initiative in the series.
Former England batter Kevin Pietersen recollected an instant from the game that summarised the incredible fan-following team India skipper Rohit Sharma commands on home soil. The 44-year-old Englishman shared his take on the moment Rohit entered the ground sending the stands into a delirium in a testament to his cult following.
“Honestly, it’s unbelievable,” Pietersen began.
“Rohit Sharma exits the dressing room, and the crowd goes absolutely mental. It’s remarkable how big stars these guys are,” he reflected.
“That’s why we re-emphasised the point, enjoy these stars while they are around. Look at the emotions in the entire stadium when a guy like Rohit Sharma walks down those steps,” he added.
Pietersen opined that the raucous ovation from the crowd rattled the touring English players and that it was something the batter from Nagpur had earned over the years with his scintillating batting.
“Can I tell you something? When Rohit Sharma walked down, we had visuals of the England dressing room. When the whole crowd went up, all of the England team started staring at him,” Pietersen revealed.
“That’s intimidating, that’s aura, and that’s something he created; not because he’s Rohit Sharma, but because of the runs he scored, because of his average,” the former-batter stated.
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England won the toss and opted to bat first and got to their total in 47.4 overs thanks to half-centuries from skipper Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell, while Phil Salt chipped in with 43 runs of his own as Ravindra Jadeja and Harshit Rana picked up a three-fer each.
Shubman Gill led the Indian chase with his brilliant 87 off 96 deliveries, while Shreyas Iyer added 59 runs off just 36 to help the men in blue cross the line with 68 deliveries to spare.
- Location :
Nagpur, India, India
