ICC World Cup 2023: The importance of being Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma at Wankhede on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

There is little not to like about Rohit Sharma. Affable, soft-spoken, genial and friendly with a ready smile on his face; the ability to see the lighter side of things in the most extreme of circumstances; the rare trait of not taking himself too seriously; the ready wit and banter. But don't mistake any of this for softness.

But don't mistake any of this for softness. Rohit can and does read the riot act when the need arises, but he does so without making it personal. He has infused his boys with oodles of confidence and the security that if they fail in trying to implement the roles outlined, he has their backs. He won't hang anyone out to dry, he won't ask of them what he wouldn't do himself.

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India skipper Rohit Sharma applauds during the semi-final against NZ at Wankhede on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

In the months leading up to the World Cup, Rohit asked of his men utter and total commitment to a specific brand of cricket. That entailed positivity, aggression, taking the bull by the horns, stamping their authority. Unsurprisingly, all of this came with attendant risks, but it was a calculated risk the think-tank was willing to embrace in its tilt at glory.

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Longest winning streak

Ten matches into the campaign, it's a risk that has paid off handsomely. India are sitting on their longest winning streak in a single World Cup, 10 matches, and one victory away from their third ODI World Cup crown. They have been entertaining, intimidating, awe-inspiring, unstoppable with the bat, unplayable with the ball. They boast the tournament's highest run-scorer (Virat Kohli, 711) and the leading wicket-taker (Mohammed Shami, 23). They also have Captain Courageous, who has fired a shot for role clarity and freedom with some of the most sensational assaults of the tournament.

The World Cup began ominously for the classy right-hander, dismissed without scoring by Josh Hazlewood in India's opener. Since then, Rohit has been on a mission, destroying bowling of all ilk with some of the most dazzling strokeplay of all time. He has been unafraid to dance down the track to the fastest of them, he is at home rocking back and playing his signature hooks and pulls. He tees off against the spinners, reducing them to blubbering wrecks. And he does all that with supreme nonchalance, oblivious to the delirium around him.

A Powerplay phenom

Rohit has been quite the Powerplay phenom. In 10 digs, he has amassed 354 runs in the first 10 overs, off just 266 deliveries. He has smashed 42 fours and 21 sixes, marrying an average of 88.50 with a gargantuan strike-rate of 133. He has torn game plans to shreds, he has broken games open, as his head coach Rahul Dravid put it.

Despite his unfettered aggression, Rohit has 550 runs this edition; he is the first batsman to score more than 500 runs in successive editions. He is the ultimate enforcer, with one ultimate enforcement beckoning. In Ahmedabad, on Sunday.