Rohit Sharma has left numerous renowned bowlers in the sport scratching their heads. Bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Hasan Ali have often found themselves perplexed by Rohit’s batting brilliance. However, in a recent revelation, Rohit disclosed the identity of the bowler he considers his most challenging adversary, and it might surprise many cricket enthusiasts.
Rohit Sharma, often celebrated for his remarkable pull shots and proficiency in handling fast bowlers, has occasionally faced a tough challenge from left-arm pacers like Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Trent Boult. Nevertheless, in a recent interview, when asked to name the most formidable bowler he’s encountered in his illustrious career, Rohit Sharma’s response was unexpected. He singled out one of the all-time great fast bowlers.
Rohit Sharma unequivocally identified Dale Steyn as the toughest bowler he has faced. Dale Steyn, the legendary South African pacer, consistently troubled Rohit with his ability to swing the ball at speeds exceeding 140 km/h.
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In Rohit’s words, “If I have to name a bowler who has truly challenged me and whom I enjoyed playing against, I’d have to say Dale Steyn. He is a class player with all the skills. He doesn’t miss a beat, and he can consistently swing the ball at such high speeds. Very few people can consistently swing the ball at 140+ km/h, and I believe he was one of them.”
Remarkably, despite Steyn’s legendary status, Rohit Sharma has never been dismissed by him in ODIs and T20Is. In Test cricket, Steyn managed to dismiss Rohit only once. However, Rohit’s batting average against Steyn in every format is less than 30, indicating the bowler’s effectiveness in restricting Rohit’s scoring.
Rohit Sharma, participating in his third World Cup, has set his sights on securing the only major trophy missing from his collection. While he has tasted success in the T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2007 and 2013, respectively, Rohit is determined to clinch the World Cup title this year, potentially in his final ICC Cricket World Cup appearance.