Australia vs India: Rohit Sharma, “Happy to bat anywhere, where management wants.” Team India’s dashing opener says I can bat anywhere in the order. Australia vs India: Rohit Sharma, “Happy to bat anywhere, where management wants.”
Rohit Sharma has enjoyed his new role in the longest format of the game as an opener but Rohit Sharma says, he is fully flexible to bat at any given position in the series against Australia. The limited over vice-captain will have a huge role to play alongside regular test batsman Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in absence of the skipper. Virat Kohli will return back to India after the first test match for the birth of his child.
Rohit Sharma on his role:
Rohit Sharma in the detailed interview with PTI, “I will say you the same thing that I have told everyone all this while. I am happy to bat wherever the team wants me but I don’t know if they would change my role as an opener.”
The Mumbai-based batsman feels that the management will have discussed my role by the time I reach the host country. Rohit is currently at National Cricket Academy (NCA) Bangalore to do his conditioning and strength training. He injured himself in the match against Kings XI Punjab.
“I am sure that the guys have figured out the possible roles when Virat will fly back home and who will open the innings.”
“Once I reach Australia probably I will have a clearer idea of what is going to happen.”
Australian Pitches and use of ball:
Mumbai Indians Skipper reckons that the character of Australian pitches has changed over the years. There is not that of bounce that it used to have earlier. Except for Perth, I don’t think other grounds offer you bounce in the present time.
“Nowadays as an opener, I will keep in mind playing as straight as possible. I will have to think about not playing pull or cut short and play in the “V” more.”
“Whoever bowls Starc, Cummins, or Hazlewood, they would definitely pitch it up and look for the movement, the use of bouncer will be minimized as there is no offering of bounce in the pitches.”
Hitman says there will be a majority use of pitches up balls and towards the bat. The use of Bouncers will be minimized. He quoted the example of Nathan Lyon, who picked 8 wickets in the Perth Test back in 2018-19.
“It was Nathan Lyon who picked 8 wickets in the test match in Perth, including a five-for. In Australia, half the job is done if you can start well upfront.”
How important are the basics in Test Cricket:
The dashing opener says, sticking on the basics is the key in test cricket and then you can develop your own technique around it.
“I would be going with the basics of the red ball cricket and then top up with other things. That’s how you take the game forward in the longest format of Cricket.”
The 33 years old feels completely prepared for the test series against Australia.” I am prepared mentally, I have enough setbacks in past, long lay-offs due to injuries and poor form. I know how to come back strongly,” he signed off.
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