I wanted to be ready for Test matches: Rohit Sharma

Team India registered an emphatic win at Mohali recently. The chief architect of the win was their skipper, Rohit Sharma. The ‘hitman’, as he is popularly known, notched up his third double century in ODI cricket. His herculean knock won over the hearts of many. After the game, as per the quotes in the DNA, Rohit spoke at length about the knock.

He quoted the year of 2017 as the best he has had in his career thus far. He is optimistic about the times that lie ahead for him. Moreover, he cleared his intentions that he wishes to be a part of the Indian Test team as well.

“I would say this year has been the best year for me as a cricketer. I have been hitting the ball well. I keep telling myself that if an opportunity arises, I have to be ready for it. What has happened in the past, I have no regrets. The future is bright. The last five six months that has been the mindset,” quoted Rohit Sharma.

“I wanted to be ready for Test matches. I knew the combination which we play, five bowlers sometimes and sometimes four, I may play or may not. I just have to prepare myself in a way that I am playing every game be at my best,” he added further.

On South Africa tour

Team India is lined up to play South Africa next. However, Rohit is focused on the current assignment at the moment. He remarked that he is not thinking too much at the moment about the next tour in hand.

“I am someone who doesn’t look too far ahead so I won’t be talking about what we have to do in South Africa. I have been appointed captain for the first time, so I am only thinking about this series,” Rohit Sharma quipped.

On rating the three double tons

When asked to rate the best among the three double tons he has scored till date, Rohit Sharma mentioned that he simply cannot do so. He pointed out that all the three innings have come in crunch situations. This double ton and the one he had scored against Australia, both had come in the series decided. His top score knock had come in an innings where he was making a comeback.

“I can’t rate this because the other two were as important as this one. The first one against Australia was the series decider and second one against Sri Lanka, I was coming back from injury. It (264 against SL) was a world record score and that has to be right up there. This one as well, we had to comeback in the series, it was my first captaincy stint, also as a batsman I wanted to do well. I don’t think I can rate them as all three were very important from the team’s perspective,” mentioned the Indian opener.

On timing his innings

It has been a trend in all mountain knocks of Rohit Sharma. He takes his time to settle in and then starts building his innings in a crescendo. This double ton was no exception either. Explaining this, the Mumbai lad quoted that the first 100 takes time since one has to get their eyes in. And after scoring a century, it is very unlikely that a bowler can through one’s defenses.

“The first 100 took time but the next was one a lot faster. That is because you are set, you can see the ball nice and hard, you know what the bowlers are trying to do so you are just trying to play with the field. Once you get past 100 it is all about you not making mistake and getting out. It is very unlikely that bowlers are going to get you out post 100. I just wanted to bat and bat. The thinking was why not get another 100 after the 100,” Rohit Sharma pointed out.

On playing with the field

Speaking about how he managed to play with the field, Rohit Sharma rightly explained that nothing comes easy in cricket. He mentioned that any player has to use their brains and instincts whilst at the crease. He cited that is exactly what he did and he knew where the fielders were. Hence, all he did was to play around with the field placements.

“Nothing is easy in cricket. Trust me when you are in the middle you have to use your brains, you have to time the ball. It is not easy. You must have seen I was trying to play with the field, trying to play the scoop shot, trying to hit over point. Those are my strengths. That is the advantage of having five players inside. The shot selection becomes very important,” elucidated the stand-in captain.