A record 2388 runs across formats as an opener, 1490 One-day runs in the calendar year 2019, a record five hundred at the 2019 World Cup, the most number of sixes in a single Test inning, most runs in his maiden Test match as an opener followed by a Test double hundred and ten hundreds across formats, it is fair to say the Rohit Sharma had a fairytale 2019.

Rohit unleashed his ‘Hitman’ moniker to the hilt throughout the year and courtesy his flamboyance and natural strokeplay continued to remind the fans as well as detractors as to why he is one of the best going around.

Flamboyance and natural stroke-play are something that has always been associated with Rohit Sharma. As a youngster, it used to lead to his undoing more-often-than-not, but as time has progressed, Sharma has matured into a cricketer who is in complete sync with his abilities and knows exactly when and where to use those flamboyant shots. The word flamboyance and natural instincts are often misconstrued with reckless shot-making. But, there is a fine line between the two.

Rishabh Pant has been under the firing line for his shot-making selections in the past six months. But, Rohit Sharma believes that it is not a ‘crime’ in playing big, flamboyant shots and the players who boast of such rare quality should be backed, as long as he is not repeating the same mistakes again.

“There is nothing harm in playing big shots, trying to play a flamboyant cover drive. When we were growing up and used to play shots in the air, we were taken out of the nets, which was not right because eventually, you want the results. If the guy is giving you results by playing the big shots, there is nothing wrong in that,” said Rohit Sharma as quoted by Republic TV.

As a young kid, growing in this generation, you want to play shots. You want to look good (while batting) but again it is very important what they think of their game and what understanding they have about the game,” he added. Sharma added, “What we need to be careful of is, if the player is doing mistakes again and again, then he needs to be told how he should go about it next time. I mean playing shots is not a crime.”

Rohit Sharma always encourages youngsters to play their natural game

Rohit also emphasized that he- as a leader- would always encourage the youngsters their natural game as long as they are learning that it is important to get the job done for your team.

“I would encourage that to play shots if they want to but at the same time, they need to understand that they need to produce results, that’s the game. You score 100 off 50 balls or 200 balls, it doesn’t matter, it still is a hundred.” Sharma added.