Rahul waits for MS Dhoni’s presence in the opening ODI to boost up team and the crowd
KL Rahul, India’s stand-in captain for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, is waiting for MS Dhoni’s presence at the JSCA International Stadium complex at Ranchi on Sunday. Rahul, during a media conference, could not hide his excitement over the matter as he feels Dhoni’s attendance in Sunday’s opening ODI will not only cheer up the home crowd, will also inspire the Indian team. Rahul commented, “Obviously, we have all played under him. We have all been his fans, and we have also played alongside him. So he is a friend. It is a true happy feeling. Getting an opportunity like this, to know someone as big and as successful as him as an Indian cricketer we have all respected him as a human being as well.” He continued, “So if he comes to watch the match, the excitement for the crowd and for us will increase even more. So yes, we’re happy. If the crowd turns up in big numbers, we will also enjoy playing here. And hopefully, we can win the game, put in a good performance, entertain the crowd, and MS Dhoni will also feel happy that we won,” he added. Since opening in 2013, the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi has hosted six ODIs, four T20Is and three Tests. In addition, it has staged 12 IPL and CLT20 matches. Dhoni has featured in six international matches at the venue and has also attended several others as a spectator. He is expected to be present again for the first ODI, having recently hosted Indian team for dinner at his residence. Rahul said in the pre-match press conference. Rahul added that Dhoni’s presence in the stands would elevate the excitement levels for both the crowd and the players.
Rohit Sharma is on the verge of a ‘big milestone’; set to become the first batsman to hit 650 sixes in international cricket
Ahead of the ODI series against South Africa, Rohit Sharma is on the verge of a big career milestone, heading towards entering 20 thousand runs in international cricket and becoming the first batsman to hit 650 sixes. So far, he has garnered 19,902 runs in 502 matches across all formats, backed by 50 centuries and 109 fifties. Rohit, 38-year-old, is set to become only the 14th batsman in history to achieve this landmark, joining an elite list that already features Indian greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid. He will have his first opportunity to get there when India take the field in the series opener on Sunday, 30th November at the JSCA Stadium International Complex in Ranchi. Simultaneously, the former Indian captain is also on the brink of creating another significant milestone, becoming the first batsman to smash 650 sixes in international cricket. He has so far hit 642 sixes and needs just eight more maximums to set a new benchmark. No other batsman has even crossed 600 sixes. West Indian star Chris Gayle is in second position in the list as he has hit 553 sixes from 483 matches. All eyes will be on Rohit in the upcoming ODI series, as this will be his first home assignment since February this year. He enters the series in fine form after an impressive outing against Australia, where he amassed 202 runs at an exceptional average of 101.00. His standout moment came in the third ODI, where he smashed an unbeaten 121 off 125 balls, reaffirming his status as one of India’s most reliable and explosive performers.
