India vs Pakistan: Captain Rohit Sharma Out To Extend 'Bradman-Esque' Asia Cup Record

02.09.2023 - 07:27 sports.ndtv.com

The Indian cricket team, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, embarks upon a new adventure as they get the Asia Cup 2023 campaign underway against Pakistan on September 02.

Rohit would understandably be under the spotlight, having led the India team to Asia Cup triumph once already, in 2018, and also for the template he himself looks to produce in the tournament.

If the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup is any reference, Rohit could look to continue his 'Bradman-esque' record in the continental event.

When it comes to the ODI version of the Asia Cup, Rohit has an average of 46.56 as a batter. But, as a batter with the captaincy role, Rohit averages a whopping 105.66.

cricket India Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team Asia Cup 2023 India vs Pakistan cup Rohit Sharma Asia Cup India Pakistan

A day after Indian cricket team's Asia Cup triumph, the squad for the Australia ODI series was announced on Monday. There were several surprises in the squad for the three-ODI series. The biggest one being the return of Ravichandran Ashwin, who last played an ODI in January, 2022. Another surprise was that the team management rested the star trio - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya - for a series that is being seen as the final dress rehearsal before the World Cup.

Indian Team Management Holds Brief Meeting With Skipper Rohit Sharma, Head Coach Ahead Of Asia Cup Final: Report

Ahead of the Asia Cup final clash against Sri Lanka, the Indian team management on Saturday held a brief meeting with skipper Rohit Sharma in the team hotel. This unofficial meeting began with head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikarm Rathore. Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and captain Rohit Sharma joined the meeting later which lasted for almost 3 hours. The meeting was likely held to discuss the squads for the upcoming Australia series and the Asia Cup final planning.

Watch: Rohit Sharma Prompts Fan To Wave India Flag Higher. Video Goes Viral

Team India gave one of their best performances and defeated Pakistan by 228 runs in the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match on Monday in Colombo. Due to heavy rain, the match was shifted to the reserve day on Monday. Virat Kohli (122*) and KL Rahul (111*) stitched a massive 233-run partnership and guided Team India to 356/2 in 50 overs. Later, Kuldeep Yadav's fiery spell helped India to bundle out Pakistan for just 128. Apart from them, skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill also smashed 56 and 58 runs respectively.

Rohit Sharma Breaks Sachin Tendulkar's All-Time Record With Blazing Fifty Against Pakistan

India captain Rohit Sharma put all the pre-match talk about his performances against Pakistan pacers to bed, scoring a brilliant half-century in the Asia Super 4 clash on Sunday. Though rain pushed the match into reserve day (Monday), Rohit had done enough to give India a fine start with the bat in the high-profile contest. As Rohit went past the 50-run mark, he broke Sachin Tendulkar's record of scoring the most number of half-centuries in the ODI format of the Asia Cup for an Indian.

Watch: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Left Stunned As KL Rahul Hits Humongous Six During India vs Pakistan Clash In Asia Cup 2023

KL Rahul made an almost perfect comeback to the Indian cricket team as he slammed a 106-ball-111 during the Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan on Monday. Rahul started the play on Monday with a positive approach and targeted the spin duo of Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed from the beginning. The right-handed batter played a number of big shots against them with a massive six off Shadab leaving both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in utter disbelief. In a video going viral on social media, both Rohit and Virat could be seen giving stunned reactions to the mammoth six by Rahul.