IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma sets new record after going past 1000 runs against KKR

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma on Thursday became the first player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to record 1,000 runs against a single opponent. Rohit achieved this unique distinction in an IPL 2021 league encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which marked the 34th match of the ongoing edition. The opener needed 18 runs to reach the landmark before the clash commenced. Rohit certainly seemed eager to achieve the feat as soon as possible, bringing it up in glorious fashion with four boundaries in as many overs of the powerplay.

The opener missed MI’s opening game of the UAE leg against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but seemed no short of confidence going into the encounter against KKR, smashing runs with confidence. Only David Warner, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan are close to emulating the feat by Rohit. Warner has accumulated 943 runs against Punjab Kings (PBKS) and 915 runs against KKR respectively. Kohli has smashed 909 runs against Delhi Capitals (DC) and 895 runs against CSK. Shikhar has accumulated 894 runs against the Punjab-based franchise.

“Important we turn up and do the job”

Rohit had expressed his desire to go out and make an impact against KKR before the encounter, as evident from his comments while interacting with MI’s media team.

“It’s important that we turn up and do the job. I honestly don’t believe in past records, T20 is a game on that particular day. What happens it’s a game of that you have to be best on that day. They are a good opposition (Kolkata Knight Riders) and they play cricket very well as a team, and they will obviously be coming off from some confidence after their last win so it’s not going to be cakewalk for us,” said Rohit in a video posted on MI’s official Twitter handle.

“I know that we had a very handy record against them, but it’s important that we turn up really well on that particular day, and do the job. When you are chasing a score like 157 you need to build those small partnerships, and make sure you keep yourself in the game as long as possible,” he added.

“We have got all bases covered”

Rohit was full of praise for New Zealand pacer Adam Milne, who made his presence felt in the defeat against CSK.

“Adam Milne, especially is coming from a very good tournament in UK. He is a good bowler, bowls really fast and it’s all about, you know, getting that confidence and he got that confidence in the first game. So I just hope that he builds on it. We just have to come back and come back really strong and tick those small boxes, and I think if you look at the potential in this squad. We have got all bases covered,” he stated.

The opener was in brilliant form during the recently concluded Test series in England, making his presence felt with a sensational performance against a top opposition.