Has Rohit Sharma come of age?

March 2, 2008. Australia. A lovely Sunday for the big final – first of the three. In a day-night encounter, Australia set a modest target of 240. At 87-3 in 18.5 overs, the match was evenly poised. That’s when a talented young batsman joined a veteran at the wicket. Playing in the 13^th match of his career, the batsman showed great composure under immense pressure. With the old man, he steered India to safety. All praised the ‘calm head on the young man’s shoulders’ and predicted greater things for Rohit Sharma.

March 2, 2008. Malaysia. An enormous day for 22 teenagers – the U-19 World Cup. On a day when all other batsmen failed, their captain, too succumbed to the pressure of the occasion. The team made a paltry 159 but held their nerve amid persistent rain to win the game and the title. The captain was the team’s second highest run getter and the only centurion of the tournament for them. He had showcased his brilliance in the century he made against the West Indies. Talented Virat Kohli started to make headlines.

Since that day, Rohit Sharma is yet to establish himself as a certainty in coloured clothes, hasn’t debuted in test cricket, wasn’t included in the World Cup squad, and his average lurks around 34. On the other hand, Virat Kohli has become one of the most dependable limited overs batsmen, 4 hundreds in test cricket, 15 hundreds in ODI cricket, won a World Cup medal and his ODI average is a stupendous 50.16.

Fast-forward to 16^th September, 2013.

After winning the first match by 72 runs, Australia set India a daunting target of 360 runs. Whenever Australia had scored above 300 against India, they have won. If India chase the target, the chase would be the second highest successful run chase. It was a day for history to be made.

Rohit has comeback as an opener and started to do well in the Champions trophy. He showed immense patience in England. He started to curb his natural attacking instincts, complementing the more attacking Shikhar Dhawan. Today, he did the same at the start. He played 12 balls for 2 runs before scoring his first boundary. Then he gradually eased into his innings. His runs started to flow. As Dhawan accelerated, Rohit calmly accumulated the singles.

After Dhawan’s exit, entered Virat with loads of aggressive intentions. He scored his fifty from just 27 balls with four sixes and four fours. Rohit had scored 20 runs as Virat breezed his way to a fifty. Fighting cramps, Rohit accelerated towards his 100 – his first in three years. Virat rocketed to the fastest century by an Indian. Two young Indian batsmen set the world ablaze. Rohit seems to relish his chance as an opener. He has scored 763 runs in 18 innings at an average of 50.86 – 16 more than his career average of 34.26. He has sacrificed his strike rate for more runs and a better average.

“Rohit is the best of the young lot that we have and he is the most dangerous T20 player, so it was a privilege to watch him from the other end.” said Kohli at the end of the match. Rohit has all the ingredients to be a world class batsman. He has the technique to counter the best, his timing is exemplary, and his stroke making is an absolute joy to watch. Finally, he has started justifying his talent.

Which impersonation will Rohit make? Sachin Tendulkar or Vinod Kambli? Only time will tell!