Rohit Sharma, on Thursday (June 27), scored a fifty to guide India to a competitive total against England in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Asked to bat first, India found themselves in a tricky situation as Virat Kohli was run out for just 9 runs in the third over. Rishabh Pant also failed to get going with the bat and was run out for just 4 runs, leaving India reeling at 40 for 2 in the powerplay.
However, Rohit Sharma stood firm at one end and scored a brilliant fifty on a difficult pitch to lay the foundation for a good total. He scored 57 runs off 39 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes and was dismissed by Adil Rashid in the 14th over.
The Indian captain also shared a crucial 73-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 47. India eventually ended their innings at 171 for 7.
The 57-run knock also helped Rohit Sharma add another feather to his already illustrious cap. He has become the first Indian captain to score a fifty in the knockouts of the men’s T20 World Cup. Before him, MS Dhoni led India to the last-16 of the T20 World Cup but could not score a fifty. Virat Kohli also led India in a T20 World Cup but could not even take the team to the last-16.
ROHIT SHARMA – FIRST INDIAN MEN’S CAPTAIN TO SCORE FIFTY IN T20I WORLD CUP ELIMINATIONS 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/75lpRxvDMr
—Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 27, 2024
Rohit Sharma observes the story:
Rohit Sharma will be looking to create history by taking India all the way in the ongoing T20 World Cup. He can become the second Indian captain, after the legendary MS Dhoni, to lift the World Cup trophy. India have not won the tournament since 2007 and will be desperate to go all the way.
Heading into the semi-final against England, India has the advantage. At the time of writing, England were trailing 72-6 in the 13th over with Liam Livingstone and Chris Jordan batting in the middle. The winner of this semi-final will face South Africa in the final later this week. Earlier on Thursday, South Africa defeated Afghanistan to qualify for the final for the first time in their history.
