Not only will India’s dominating batting performances in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday stand out in history, but Rohit Sharma, the team’s captain, also received plaudits for his sportsmanship.
One of the best displays of sportsmanship in recent cricket matches was given by Rohit. The incident took place in the final over of the game when pacer Mohammed Shami “Mankaded” the opposing captain, Dasun Shanaka, who was unbeaten at 98.
To everyone’s surprise, Rohit chose to drop the appeal, which allowed Shanaka to reach his second ODI century.
“Shami runout Shanaka while he (Shanaka) was batting on 98; I had no idea. He batted brilliantly; we cannot catch him in that manner. Hats off to him, he played extremely well, that’s not something we would have thought of “At the post-match awards ceremony, Rohit added.
Angelo Mathews and Sanath Jayasuriya, two former Sri Lankan players, commended Rohit for his excellent behaviour on the field.
Twitter is where Mathews said “Hats off to @ImRo45 since few captains would take this kind of risk. for abandoning the appeal despite what the law requires! showing excellent sportsmanship.”
Hats off to @ImRo45 for dropping the appeal against the law, as not many captains would do this! D … https://t.co/nwrGk6dfhR— Angelo Mathews, 1673370481000 (@Angelo69Mathews)
“Rohit Sharma’s sportsmanship in declining to take the run out was the real victor. I bow down to you!” Tweeted Jayasuriya
Virat Kohli’s 73rd international hundred, along with half-centuries from Rohit and Shubman Gill, helped India score an impressive 373 for 7 after being chosen to bat first in the game.
After losing half of their team for 161 runs in response, Sri Lanka was never in the game. However, Shanaka (108 not out off 88 balls) stayed firm in the midst of the devastation and led his team to 306/8.