Rohit Sharma the Indian skipper affectionately recalls Dale Steyn as his toughest opponent. Accumulating nearly 19000 runs and 48 centuries in 472 matches the champion cricketer reminisces about the formidable challenges Steyn presented on the field.
Steyn acclaimed for his Test performances concluded his career as one of the premier matchwinners achieving a total of 439 wickets at an average of 22.95. Interestingly he also managed to secure 260 dismissals in the whiteball formats during his exceptional international tenure.
In an interview with Dubai Eye 103.8, Rohit Sharma described Steyn’s ability to swing the ball at pace as the most difficult to overcome.
“I have gone and watched his videos like 100 times before I went in to bat. That was Dale Steyn. He is an absolute legend of the game. And what he has achieved in his career is just superb to watch. And I have faced him many times. He is quick. He used to swing the ball at that pace, which is not easy. It is quite tough. And he was a fierce competitor.”
Rohit Sharma
He added:
“He just went out there wanting to do everything, to win every game and every session, so it was nice to come up against him. Not that I had much success against him, but I enjoyed my battles.”
Rohit Sharma
Ironically, Dale Steyn has only dismissed Rohit once in international cricket, in India’s 2013 Test series in South Africa. While the Indian legend’s strike rate against Steyn in ODIs is barely 63.20, he has never been removed by the South African.
In T20s, Steyn has never dismissed Rohit in an international match, although he has done so once in the IPL. Rohit has also had a slow strike rate of 80.40 against Steyn in the IPL.
“Still hope to play a few more years as well & make an impact in World cricket” – Rohit Sharma
During the same engagement Rohit Sharma articulated his aspiration to prolong his stint in international cricket for a few more years before contemplating retirement.
Debuting for India in 2007 at the age of 37 marked a significant moment in their career instantly influencing Indias success in the first T20 World Cup that year.
“The journey has been wonderful, it has been 17 years; I still hope to play a few more years as well & make an impact in World cricket.”
Rohit Sharma
He also discussed the honor of governing the country, saying:
“Captaining your country is the biggest honour that you can have, and for me, I have never thought that this would arrive where I’ll be captaining one day. But yeah, people say good things happen to good people.”
Rohit Sharma
Rohit is currently playing for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the present IPL 2024 and will captain Team India in the next T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States, which begins June 1.