'The most challenging innings I have ever played' - Rohit Sharma on his 83 in the second Test at Lord's

Rohit Sharma sizzled with the willow in hand on the first day of the second Test match between England and India at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. Opening the batting, the ‘Hitman’ scored a classy 83 off 145 deliveries to allow India to end the first day with their scorecard reading 276/3.

And, Sharma has opened up on his innings at Lord’s. Sharma stated that he would not call this innings as his best as he is still playing for his country and will still get a lot more opportunities. However, Sharma admitted that this was the most challenging knock that he has ever played.

The right-handed batsman further added that he was happy with the way India started their innings. Sharma further revealed that he could not have done anything about the way he was dismissed by James Anderson.

“I wouldn’t say the best because as long as you are playing. There will be a lot of opportunities that you will be having. But yes certainly challenging, the most challenging innings I have played. I felt very good, I was happy with the way we started off. Unfortunate dismissal but I couldn’t have done anything to that,” said Sharma as quoted by The Hindustan Times.

I think the Indian batsmen now understand their roles: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma further added that even though a batsman has a lot of shots in his book, he will have to cut down on unnecessary shots when he is up against the new red cherry.

“That’s the challenge of Test cricket, you may have lots of shots in your book but when the conditions are against you, you have to keep talking to yourself and cut down the unnecessary shots especially with the new ball,” said Rohit Sharma.

Adding that a willow wielder should respect the conditions while playing in England, Sharma concluded by stating that the Indian batsmen have now begun to understand their roles in the side.

“Once you get the feel of the pitch, once you get the conditions then maybe you can try and play some shots but I think it is important to respect the conditions here. As a batting group, we have done reasonably well right from Australia tour till today, I think batters now understand their role,” concluded Sharma.