There were many in the list of Indian performers who can be credited for the 70-run triumph. Virat Kohli’s record-breaking 50th ODI century, Shreyas Iyer‘s second consecutive hundred, the start provided by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill and the seven-wicket spell of the unplayable Mohammed Shami all proved crucial in India’s entry into the final. But among all those names, one that stands out for former England skipper Nasser Hussain is the skipper.
To underline his statement, Hussain, who spoke during Star Sports’ post-match discussion, said the fearless approach Rohit displayed as a leader and the top of the batting order was infectious.
“The headlines tomorrow will be about Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Shami; but the real hero of this Indian side, the real man who changed the culture of this Indian side, is Rohit Sharma,” said Husain.
To explain this further, Hussain recounted what his fellow commentator and Indian player Dinesh Karthik told him behind the scenes.
“We were all there at the semi-final (T20 World Cup 2022) in Adelaide where they (India) played soft, timid cricket, stepped forward, got a sub-par score and England bowled them out, won by 10 wickets. We have DK with us who said after that he (Rohit) told DK “we will have to change,” said Hussain.
“It’s one thing to say that and another thing to come out and actually walk the talk.”
In the semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, it was Rohit who again infused that fearless approach to India’s game with a 29-ball 47 at the top of the order and added 71 runs with Gill (80 not out), after which the two centurions — Virat (117) and Iyer (105) — took over and KL Rajul (39 not out in 20 balls) provided the boom to take the total to 397/4.
New Zealand, despite a shaky start, made an important effort to overturn the big target with a century by Daryl Mithcell (134) and a fine 69 by skipper Kane Williamson; but after Williamson was sent back by Shami, the Indian paceman began to own the game and finished with record-breaking figures of 7/57.
“I think the real hero today was Rohit,” Hussain reiterated. “The first time they (India) were tested. Group stage, as you would know, is one thing. Can you do it again (in a knockout game)? Can you play fearless cricket? The skipper came out and pointed to everybody, pointed to his dressing room that we will continue exactly the same.”
In the title match on Sunday, India will meet the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa in Kolkata on Thursday.