Paranjape Observes Rohit's Unyielding Resolve to Silence Critics

Synopsis

On February 10, Rohit Sharma showcased remarkable determination in a stellar performance, scoring 119 runs against England and leading India to victory. Former cricketer Jatin Paranjape praised Rohit for overcoming recent scrutiny and highlighted Varun Chakaravarthy's impressive ODI debut, emphasizing both players' importance ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Key Takeaways

Rohit Sharma scored 119 runs, marking his 32nd ODI century.
His performance came after a period of criticism regarding his form.
Jatin Paranjape expressed excitement about Rohit's return to form.
Varun Chakaravarthy made a successful ODI debut.
Chakaravarthy is expected to be a key player in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) Indian captain Rohit Sharma has faced significant criticism regarding his performance over the last six months, but he decisively silenced his doubters with a stunning innings of 119 runs off just 90 balls, marking his 32nd ODI century, which led to a four-wicket victory against England in Cuttack.

Jatin Paranjape, a former Indian cricketer and selector, currently serving on the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee, expressed his excitement over Rohit’s return to top form at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday. This performance not only ended a lengthy run drought but also served as a statement to his critics as India gears up for an important Champions Trophy.

“It was evident that Rohit was fiercely determined to capitalize on the strong start he had, not just for his personal achievements but more crucially for the team to secure a 2-0 series victory,” Paranjape commented to IANS on Monday.

“In addition to his usual elegance, there was a steely determination in Rohit’s eyes as he aimed to demonstrate his worth to those who doubted him with the Champions Trophy approaching,” he added.

In Cuttack, India also introduced wrist spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in ODI cricket, following his impressive performance of 14 wickets in the recently concluded 4-1 T20I series against England and his 18 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

With Rohit having previously indicated that Varun was in contention for a last-minute inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad, the wrist-spinner bolstered his chances by delivering a commendable performance, conceding 54 runs in his 10 overs.

Paranjape, who is also a co-founder of KheloMore, emphasized Chakaravarthy’s key strengths—his precision and the pressure he exerts on batters. He expressed surprise if Varun does not secure a spot in India’s final Champions Trophy squad, with the deadline approaching on February 12.

“Varun Chakaravarthy possesses two significant strengths: first, his accuracy, as his deliveries are consistently grouped tightly; second, he allows the batsman very little, if any, time to initiate aggressive shots. Additionally, he has two or three variations that international batsmen are still adapting to.”

“This period is somewhat of a honeymoon phase for him in the international 50-over format. However, I believe he has the intelligence to expand his skill set and keep batsmen guessing as his career unfolds. I see him as a valuable asset for India, and I would be astonished if he is not included in the Champions Trophy squad,” he concluded.