‘Upar dale toh deta hu na’ – Rohit Sharma fulfills promise, deposits Liam Livingstone’s full delivery for maximum

Rohit Sharma (Source :Twitter)

Rohit Sharma was in destructive form against England in the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup on Thursday, June 27, as he smashed his second consecutive half-century and third overall at the marquee event.

After an awe-inspiring 41-ball 92 in the preceeding game against Australia, Rohit continued his blitzkrieg at the Providence Stadium in Guyana against the experienced England bowling line-up. The right-handed batter hit six fours and two sixes en route to his 57-run knock off just 39 balls. The first of his two sixes came off the last ball of the 11th over against Liam Livingstone. There was a unique back story behind this maximum and the video showing the same has received a lot of love on social media.

Livingstone conceded just three runs from the first five balls against the set pair of Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav. Ahead of the last ball, Rohit could be heard on the stump mic telling his fellow Mumbai batter that he would go for a big hit if Livingstone pitches it up to him. The England all-rounder went on to dish out a fullish delivery and the Indian captain needed no second invitation as he launched him over long-on for a huge six.

“Upar daale toh deta hu na [If he pitches it up, I’ll hit him],” the 37-year-old batter told Suryakumar before the final ball of the over.

Axar, Kuldeep spin web around England

On the back of a 73-run third-wicket partnership between Rohit and Suryakumar, India scored 171/7 in their 20 overs. England needed to break the record for the highest successful run-chase at the venue to reach back-to-back T20 World Cup finals. However, after a decent start, they lost their two formidable openers – Jos Buttler and Phil Salt – inside the first five overs. Jonny Bairstow also departed inside the powerplay as things looked gloomy in the English camp.

Axar Patel bagged a wicket in each of his first three overs and eventually finished with figures of 3/23 in his four overs. Kuldeep Yadav was introduced into the attack after the powerplay and he deceived the England batters with his guile through the middle overs. The left-arm wrist spinner bagged a three-for, conceding just 19 runs in four overs. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah accounted for a couple of wickets, including the big one of the in-form Phil Salt. England’s disappointing run-chase also comprised two run-outs as India bundled them out for 103 in the 17th over to win by a comprehensive 68-run margin.

India face South Africa in the summit clash at Kensington Oval, Barbados on Saturday, June 29. While the Men in Blue are the inaugural champions, the Proteas will be appearing in a World Cup final for the first time.