Knock vs Bangladesh in 2nd ODI was a gutsy innings, one of Rohit Sharma’s best, says cricket coach Dinesh Lad | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma‘s grit and determination was applauded by many when the Indian skipper came out to bat at number 9, despite stitches and a bandage on his left thumb. He then hit a valiant 51 not out against Bangladesh in what was a must win encounter for Team India. Though India fell short by 5 runs, Rohit’s batting through pain became a big talking point.
Rohit, who smacked five sixes in that knock of his, had suffered a split webbing between the thumb and forefinger while fielding in the second ODI.

India were in deep trouble while batting and the Indian skipper decided to walk in. With his injured thumb bandaged, he struggled initially but later managed to put aside the pain and shift to top gear.
The Indian skipper took India to a position when they needed 6 off the last ball. Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman held his nerve and bowled a yorker to deny India a win, as the Bangla Tigers effectively won the series.
Rohit Shatrma’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad spoke to TimesofIndia.com about this particular Rohit innings, which was the Indian skipper’s 46th ODI fifty.
“It was really a gutsy innings. Rohit is someone who is always hungry for wins. He would always enter the ground with a winning mindset, no matter who the opposition is, no matter who the bowler is. This is one of the best knocks he has played in his career. He played many, but this will remain a special one for me and for all fans. He was injured and bandaged and he didn’t care about it. He struggled when he came to the crease. But when your thumb or finger is injured, you just can’t hold the bat properly, forget about hitting a shot. Rohit just put that pain aside and the way he batted was really commendable. He is a brave and fearless batsman. He played proper cricketing shots. He would have won the match for India if he had got proper support from the other end,” Lad told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

India were chasing a challenging 272 to win that game and barring Shreyas Iyer (82) and Axar Patel (56), no one else had managed to do much. Rohit, batting at number 9, took India to 252/9 after 49 overs – needing 20 off the last. In the last over Rohit smashed Mustafizur for two fours and a six. But couldn’t hit a six off the last ball to take the visitors across the finish line.
“Mustafizur bowled in the blockhole (last ball of the 50th over). He tried to bowl the same in the previous deliveries, but Rohit picked those early and hit those for sixes. But the last ball was just in the blockhole and Rohit couldn’t do much,” Lad added.
Lad, who has seen Rohit from close quarters from when the Indian captain was a youngster went on to describe a similar incident when a 16-year-old Rohit took his school team to a win, despite an injury.

(TOI Photo)
“Rohit was 16 then. There was a school match. He came to open the innings for Swami Vivekananda International School and was hit just above the eye by a bouncer. There was huge swelling and he bled too. There were stitches as well. His team was chasing and losing wickets one after another. When they were nine down, Rohit decided to come to bat,” Lad told TimesofIndia.com.
“We tried to stop Rohit, but he was adamant about going out and batting. He said – sir, I want to go and bat. I told everyone, let’s not stop him. He went berserk the moment he hit the crease. He scored some 50 odd runs and hit some big sixes. Such a wonderful knock that was. He took his team to a win. After the win, the boys carried him on his shoulders,” Lad further recalled.
DINESH LAD CREDITS ROHIT FOR DRONACHARYA AWARD
Over the years, Lad has mentored many cricketers including India’s bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur. He has been mentoring cricketers in Mumbai for more than 25 years. His son, Siddhesh is a domestic cricketer and recently shifted from Mumbai to Goa.
Dinesh Lad was honoured with the Dronacharya Award recently on November 30 by President Droupadi Murmu at the 2022 National Sports Award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He credited his wards like Rohit and Shardul for the prestigious award.
“I am a Dronacharya awardee because of Rohit and Shardul. These students have made me. It feels great to have received the award. Had Rohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur not performed well, I would not have got this award. I am really thankful that I could nourish these born talents.” Lad signed off.