MUMBAI: : When the media manager introduced Rohit Sharma in prematch press conference on Wednesday, the Indian skipper hid his face in his palms and started guffawing as if to suggest, “Dude, don’t these guys know me?”
The 36-year-old has been relaxed with the bat in hand or while captaining and he has been receiving high praise for the selfless turbocharged batting approach that he has adopted in the powerplay, often sacrificing statistical glory for a higher team goal.When asked if he needs to be more selfish, as suggested by former players and bat longer, Rohit’s face went through the contortions that they usually go through when he answers a tricky question.
“Aisa nahin ki mujhe sirf bat ghumana hain. Acchi tarah se ghumana hain. I want to put the team into a good position. When I open, I always remember that the scoreboard starts from zero. When you start, you can be fearless and play the way you want, but in the last game, we were put under pressure in the power play. We lost three wickets. So, the game had to be changed. As a batsman, my focus is on what the team needs.”
The captain has also been praised for his leadership and bowling changes and subtle field placements, but he doesn’t want to get sucked into all the praise. “You read the situation, the scoreboard and try and make the right moves. Sometimes, things work, sometimes, they don’t. You must be prepared for that. If I know that whatever calls we make, it is in the best interests of the team, it’s fine. I know how this whole thing works, one bad game and I will become a bad captain.”
India have won five games chasing and the Wankhede, at least in IPL, has been a great chasing ground. But in this World Cup, South Africa batted first, batted big and won against both England and Bangladesh. The skipper, along with the coach Rahul Dravid were seen having a long chat with the curator, trying to assess the pitch. When asked what he would do on match-day, if he wins the toss, Rohit said, “I don’t want to say what we’re going to do tomorrow. It’s a ground where things can be unpredictable at times as there’s so much in it for the bowlers as well. You can see a top spell coming from the bowlers, rattling the opposition. If the bowlers put the ball in the right area, it can be difficult. Everyone gets value here, the bowlers, spinners as well, and the batters.”
The heroes with the ball in the win over England in Lucknow, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami did not train in the optional nets on either Tuesday or Wednesday, giving rise to theories that India, having 12 points in the kitty and almost being through to the semis, were planning to rest them and bring in R Ashwin, who had a long bowl on Tuesday.
“You can still play with three spinners and two seamers if need be. In this World Cup, you’ve seen spinners are the ones who are stopping the run flow in the middle overs. I am keeping my options open whether we have Hardik back or not. As far as the resting for the bowlers are concerned, I think they are in great rhythm now. They don’t want to rest.”
The 36-year-old has been relaxed with the bat in hand or while captaining and he has been receiving high praise for the selfless turbocharged batting approach that he has adopted in the powerplay, often sacrificing statistical glory for a higher team goal.When asked if he needs to be more selfish, as suggested by former players and bat longer, Rohit’s face went through the contortions that they usually go through when he answers a tricky question.
“Aisa nahin ki mujhe sirf bat ghumana hain. Acchi tarah se ghumana hain. I want to put the team into a good position. When I open, I always remember that the scoreboard starts from zero. When you start, you can be fearless and play the way you want, but in the last game, we were put under pressure in the power play. We lost three wickets. So, the game had to be changed. As a batsman, my focus is on what the team needs.”
The captain has also been praised for his leadership and bowling changes and subtle field placements, but he doesn’t want to get sucked into all the praise. “You read the situation, the scoreboard and try and make the right moves. Sometimes, things work, sometimes, they don’t. You must be prepared for that. If I know that whatever calls we make, it is in the best interests of the team, it’s fine. I know how this whole thing works, one bad game and I will become a bad captain.”
India have won five games chasing and the Wankhede, at least in IPL, has been a great chasing ground. But in this World Cup, South Africa batted first, batted big and won against both England and Bangladesh. The skipper, along with the coach Rahul Dravid were seen having a long chat with the curator, trying to assess the pitch. When asked what he would do on match-day, if he wins the toss, Rohit said, “I don’t want to say what we’re going to do tomorrow. It’s a ground where things can be unpredictable at times as there’s so much in it for the bowlers as well. You can see a top spell coming from the bowlers, rattling the opposition. If the bowlers put the ball in the right area, it can be difficult. Everyone gets value here, the bowlers, spinners as well, and the batters.”
The heroes with the ball in the win over England in Lucknow, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami did not train in the optional nets on either Tuesday or Wednesday, giving rise to theories that India, having 12 points in the kitty and almost being through to the semis, were planning to rest them and bring in R Ashwin, who had a long bowl on Tuesday.
“You can still play with three spinners and two seamers if need be. In this World Cup, you’ve seen spinners are the ones who are stopping the run flow in the middle overs. I am keeping my options open whether we have Hardik back or not. As far as the resting for the bowlers are concerned, I think they are in great rhythm now. They don’t want to rest.”