Team India took a 1-0 lead in a three-match ODI series against visiting England, winning by four wickets at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha on Thursday.
The hosts dismissed the English batting order for 248 runs and chased the target down in 38.4 overs to take the lead in the series.
Former England international Kevin Pietersen recalled the moment during the game, which showed the massive following that India skipper Rohit Sharma inspires on home turf. The 44-year-old mentioned how he was impressed by the fanfare that greeted when Rohit entered; testimony to his cult following.
“They are unbelievable, honestly,” Pietersen began.
“Rohit Sharma leaves the dressing room, and the crowd goes totally barmy. The enormity of these stars is incredible,” he reminisced.
“That’s why we reiterated, enjoy these stars while they are around. Look at the emotions in the entire stadium when a guy like Rohit Sharma walks down those steps,” he said.
After that, he indicated that the echo that went through the crowd almost caught the visiting English players off-guard, unleashing all those years of fabulous batting that saw him rise through dances of adoration.
“Let me say this, when Rohit Sharma walked on stage, we had images of the England dressing room. They all looked at him the moment the entire crowd went up,” shared Pietersen.
“That’s intimidating, that’s aura, that’s something he created; not because he is Rohit Sharma, but because of the runs he has scored and based on his average,” provided some insight, the former batter concluded.
England won the toss and opted to bat first and got to their total in 47.4 overs thanks to half-centuries from skipper Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell, while Phil Salt chipped in with 43 runs of his own as Ravindra Jadeja and Harshit Rana picked up a three-fer each.
Shubman Gill led the Indian chase with his brilliant 87 off 96 deliveries, while Shreyas Iyer added 59 runs off just 36 to help the men in blue cross the line with 68 deliveries to spare.
