In a crucial moment during the 47th over of England’s second innings, an incident unfolded that highlighted the importance of safety in cricket. Kuldeep Yadav was waiting to bowl the fourth ball when Sarfaraz Khan, fielding at a close-in position, decided not to wear a helmet. As he tried to convince his captain, Rohit Sharma intervened and warned Sarfaraz about the potential dangers of fielding without head protection. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena stepped in, confirming that wearing a helmet in such positions is mandatory.
On commentary, Dinesh Karthik shared the incident, mentioning Rohit’s characteristic style in advising Sarfaraz: “You could hear Rohit saying ‘Oye, hero nahi banne ka’ (Hey, don’t try to be a hero). Very Rohit Sharma style to say it. No need to be a hero, wait for your helmet here. When you’re fielding at that position, no risks, please. Get that helmet on. Even the umpire letting Sarfaraz know that.”
WATCH: Rohit Sharma Timely Intervention Saved Sarfaraz From a Severe Injury
Rohit’s timely intervention proved crucial, as only two balls later, a defensive shot from Shoaib Bashir took an unexpected bounce and struck Sarfaraz on the helmet with considerable force. Rohit’s insistence on safety likely averted a potential injury.
Sarfaraz had already showcased his sharp fielding skills, taking two catches earlier in the match. However, fielding at short leg without a helmet is considered a risky move, and Rohit’s reminder ensured the young player’s safety. This incident resonates with the tragic loss of Indian cricketer Raman Lamba in 1998, who suffered a fatal blow to the head while fielding at short leg without a helmet.
India, seeking two wickets to wrap up the series against England, turned to Ravichandran Ashwin. Rohit’s decision to bring in Ashwin proved wise, as he dismissed Ben Foakes and James Anderson in the same over. Ashwin’s remarkable performance resulted in his 35th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, putting him on par with legendary spinner Anil Kumble in terms of innings.
England was bowled out for 145 in the second innings, setting India a target of 192. As India pursued victory, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a stellar opening partnership, reaching 40/0. During this stand, Rohit achieved the milestone of 4000 Test runs and 1000 runs against England. The team’s promising position to seal the series owes much to the contributions of 23-year-old Dhruv Jurel, who scored his maiden Test fifty, top-scoring with 90 and rescuing India from a precarious position at 177/7 to a total of 307. The final day of the match holds the potential for India to secure a series victory.
Also read: WATCH: Hardik Pandya Unhappy with Food Served on Set, Causes a Seen
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