Former English cricketer Nasser Hussain lavished praise on India captain Rohit Sharma for showing his prowess in the 2023 World Cup 2023.
In a stellar performance, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami played pivotal roles as India secured a spot in the World Cup final by defeating New Zealand.
However, according to Nasser Hussain, the unsung hero of the tournament is none other than captain Rohit Sharma.
India, hosting the World Cup, maintained an unbeaten record with a resounding 70-run victory over New Zealand in Mumbai, securing their place in the final in Ahmedabad. Kohli's record-breaking century and Shreyas Iyer's quickfire 105 contributed to an imposing total of 397-4, while Shami's remarkable seven-wicket haul further solidified India's dominance.
Yet, it was the 36-year-old opener, Rohit Sharma, who laid the foundation with a dynamic 29-ball 47 after winning the toss at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium.
Hussain emphasised Rohit's influential role in shaping India's journey to the final, stating, "The headlines will be about Kohli, about Shreyas, about Shami. But the genuine hero of this Indian side, the man who has changed the culture, is Rohit Sharma."
Michael Atherton echoed this sentiment, highlighting Rohit's leadership and selfless batting style, stating, "It was not the number of runs that he scored, but the message he sent in getting India off to a flyer, making 47 in only 29 balls, that was vital. Don't go into your shells, he was saying."
Despite Kohli leading the tournament's run charts with 711 runs, Rohit's impactful innings set the tone for India's fearless approach in the semi-final.
In a match that saw a total of 724 runs, Mohammed Shami's exceptional bowling performance, securing a 7-57, stood out. Despite being out of the team for the first four matches and only featuring due to an injury, Shami emerged as the leading bowler in the World Cup with 23 wickets at an astonishing average of under 10 per wicket.
Eoin Morgan, England's 2019 World Cup-winning captain, praised Shami's control and effectiveness, stating, "To have someone like that at your disposal for Rohit Sharma adds more value to the strength of India."
