Rohit Sharma’s old remark that he isn’t a world-class bowler was met with a retort from Mohammad Amir. During the 2016 Asia Cup, Indian captain Rohit Sharma stated that Amir still had work to do in order to be considered a world-class bowler.
Mohammad Amir is a left-arm pacer who represents Pakistan in cricket. Due to match-fixing, he was banned for five years in 2010. Later, in 2015, he returned to the team. Amir announced his retirement from international cricket in the year 2020.
Mohammad Amir on Rohit Sharma calling him ‘just a normal bowler’ 6 years ago
Rohit Sharma sparked a major uproar by referring to Pakistan’s express pacer Mohammad Amir as a “normal bowler” ahead of the India-Pakistan match at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. Amir’s sensational comeback to international cricket, in which he rose to prominence and established himself as one of the best white-ball bowlers in the world, prompted the Indian batter’s remarks.
Rohit’s comments, which cautioned against over-hyping one bowler, went viral at the time and drew a lot of attention from both sides of the border. The star Indian opener, who went on to become India’s full-time captain in all formats, had previously stated that it is too early to draw parallels with Wasim Akram.
“Stop talking about him already. He isn’t the only bowler, Pakistan have five other bowlers who are doing well for them. There is just so much hype around him, I don’t think it is right to give him too much hype after one match. He is good but he needs to prove it over and over again. Now people are comparing him to Wasim Akram and all that. He is just a normal bowler, on that given day if he is good, he is good. It is not as if he turns up and blows everyone away,” Rohit said.
Amir has finally spoken up about the matter, claiming that he did not take Rohit’s statement seriously. He also reminded Rohit that he has always struggled when confronted by him. The left-handed pitcher, on the other hand, described Rohit as a “world class batsman.”
“I don’t take Rohit Sharma’s statement seriously. Everyone has his own opinion and it is impossible that everyone regards me as a world-class bowler. There is nothing to be felt bad about it and as a professional, we should not take such things in a negative way. You cannot be everyone’s favourite. No doubt he is a world-class batsman. I bowled well every time I have faced Rohit and he struggled while facing me, still I will call him a world-class player,” Amir said.
