Why Hitman Can Hit The South Africans Today

India and South Africa play the 5th ODI of India tour of South Africa 2017-18 at the St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. Earlier in the series, the pitches helped the fast bowlers but the conditions for today’s game is different. Virat Kohli has scored 393 at astonishing batting average of 196.50, while Shikhar Dhawan has scored 271 runs at 90.33. The other batting triumvirate, Rohit Sharma, has only managed 40 runs in four ODI games. Hitman is one of India’s most bankable big-match players. Over the years, Rohit has transformed himself from an inconsistent talent to a consistent, match-winner in two limited-overs formats. His desire and determination have gone higher because the occasion is bigger now.

Three Instances where he made it big on big fixtures

India vs Bangladesh, Quarter-final ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

Rohit’s match-winning knock during World Cup 2015 quarter-final against Bangladesh is undoubtedly one of his best knocks till date. He had smashed 137 off 126 balls to give India the ticket to the semi-final.

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3rd ODI, India’s tour of West Indies, 2011

India were chasing a target of 226 runs on a bouncy pitch in the third ODI at Antigua. Men in Blue were struggling with 92 for 6. Rohit Sharma, along with Harbhajan Singh added 88 runs on the board to take India home.

4th ODI, Sri Lanka tour of India 2014

Rohit Sharma was recalled in India ODI squad during Sri Lanka tour of India 2014. He smashed his second double hundred, scoring 264 off 173 balls.

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Men in Blue handed a shock defeat in the rain-affected game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg after winning the first three games. Despite their lead, Indians will be in the spot of bother in St George’s Park. At Port Elizabeth, India have played four ODIs against South Africa and is yet to register a win. The occasion is big enough for Indian Opener to show why he is called Hitman!