“Runouts can change the course of a match”, is a phrase every aspiring cricketer is acquainted with. Hashim Amla (71) getting runout in Port Elizabeth when the game was hanging by the thread is an apt testament to the earlier phrase. Amla departed with the hosts reeling on 166 for 5 and soon the hosts were bundled out for 201. The South Africans lost 5 wickets in a span of 40-odd runs. Total mayhem!
HISTORY created!#TeamIndia‘s first bilateral ODI series win in South Africa! An unassailable 4-1 lead now with just one more to play. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/qrJerFGZXc
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2018
Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been involved in umpteen runouts. Pundits say that it is the worst thing that can happen to a good side, lose a big fish via run out. What they want to say is that there is no point sacrificing your wicket for a solitary run. Just not worth it! Especially, if you are one of the ace batsmen of your team.
In the ongoing India-South Africa One Day Internationals (ODIs), we have seen how India’s top three gave away their wicket when they were well settled and looking to go big. For example, Shikhar Dhawan getting run out, thanks to an early call from his captain at the other end. That run out also changed the balance of the game to a certain degree, but India still managed to edge past the Proteas thanks to a maverick ton by Virat Kohli.
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Here is a stat that should make Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma kick themselves in disgust.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli has been run out 27 (self 12 + partner 15), 26 (self 12 + partner 14) times respectively. And yes, we are talking about two Indian batsmen, who are hailed as the best in the team. If this is not rectified, India could lose a big match due to a freak run out.
Run outs in ODIs…
Rohit Sharma Total 27 (self 12 + partner 15)
Virat Kohli Total 26 (self 12 + partner 14)#SAvInd— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 13, 2018
Decoded: Here is why it happens…
Indian captain Virat Kohli is extremely fit, probably among the fittest in world cricket. Now, he expects the other player to be as fit as him, and that on occasions leads to the downfall. The others (Rohit, Shikhar) are usually a tad-bit late to respond and that does the trick for the opposition. The Indian trio needs to be careful and circumspect in the future if they want to reverse this unwanted record.
