'Watched His Videos 100 Times': India Captain Rohit Sharma Names Toughest Bowler He's Faced

Rohit Sharma admitted that despite not experiencing much success against Dale Steyn, he relished the challenges and battles against the legendary Proteas pacer.

Proteas bowling legend Dale Steyn, especially with the new ball, has consistently troubled Rohit with his line, length, pace and swing. ( Image Source :PTI )

India captain Rohit Sharma, renowned as one of the finest batters in white-ball cricket, too faces his own set of challenges. Despite his remarkable skills and stature, he can be troubled by a bowler. When asked if any bowler has ever given him nightmares, Rohit mentioned South African great Dale Steyn as someone he's had difficulty facing.

Indeed, Steyn was one of the most intimidating and fearsome bowlers during his playing days. Rohit admitted that despite not experiencing much success against Steyn, he relished the challenges and battles against the legendary Proteas pacer.

"I have gone and watched his videos like 100 times before I went in to bat. That was Dale Steyn. He is an absolute legend of the game. And what he has achieved in his career is just superb to watch. And I have faced him many times. He is quick. He used to swing the ball at that pace, which is not easy. It is quite tough. And he was a fierce competitor. He just went out there wanting to do everything, to win every game and every session, so it was nice to come up against him. Not that I had much success against him, but I enjoyed my battles," Rohit said in an interaction with Dubai Eye 103.8.

Steyn has only managed to dismiss Rohit Sharma once in international cricket, during a Boxing Day Test where the star Indian opener was dismissed for a duck. However, Steyn, especially with the new ball, has consistently troubled Rohit with his line, length, pace and swing.

This isn't the first time when Rohit Sharma had openly hailed Dale Steyn as one of the best fast bowlers of all time.

Last year, during an interview with an Indian sports journalist, Rohit said: "If a bowler challenged me, and I had fun playing against him, it has to be Dale Steyn. He never deviated from the ideal length. He used to swing [the ball] at a high pace. There are a few bowlers who make the ball swing above 140 [kmph]".