ICC World Cup 2019 | Wanted to make sure KL Rahul was comfortable as opener, remarks Rohit Sharma

ICC World Cup 2019 | Wanted to make sure KL Rahul was comfortable as opener, remarks Rohit Sharma

no photo

|

BCCI

Rohit Sharma has stated that he did his best to make sure that his new opening partner KL Rahul was comfortable commencing the innings with him. He went on to talk about the problems the pair faced against Pakistan and he said that he is committed to working on it for future games.

After Shikhar Dhawan injured his left thumb, it was certain KL Rahul would be handed the opening spot in his place. However, there were some questions about the kind of rapport the flamboyant Rohit Sharma would share with Rahul in the middle. But to most fans’ surprise, as soon as the duo took the field, it was clear that India would still be able to start the innings well till Dhawan regained his fitness.

“Yeah, KL also likes to take the strike, and for me it was important to give him that because just like me, he also has the mindset of taking the first ball. That is his comfort. He is playing his first game as an opener here, so I wanted to make sure that he's comfortable,” said Rohit Sharma in the ICC mixed press conference, reported TOI, with an air of maturity fit for a senior player of his stature. 

Virat Kohli had previously stated how teams rarely a team found an opening pair as consistent and sharing as good a bond as Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. The sentiment seems to be a common one in the dressing room. 

“Obviously Shikhar and Rohit for the last three or four years have been such a dangerous combination having done so well. They have owned those positions. I had to wait for my chance and I am just happy that I got to bat in the top of the order,” KL Rahul quoted, acknowledging the opportunity.

Sharma and Rahul managed to balance their innings quite well. While the latter made a sturdy half century, Rohit Sharma concentrated on going after the bowlers and racing to a big score. However, things were not always smooth, considering a few hesitant calls and mix ups on the pitch almost cost Rohit Sharma his wicket.

“These are the sort of challenges you face - the understanding of when he wants to run that two when I want to take that single, and things like that. These are very small little things, but of course, eventually they add up to a whole lot for the team because at that point we never wanted to get run out. That was the last thing on our mind to do that,” said Rohit.

However, apart from the differences, they managed to put up 136 runs on the board for the first wicket, a record partnership for India against Pakistan in World Cup history. No wonder Rohit Sharma is ready towards making this opening combination an even bigger success.

“But we had a lot of communication while we were batting [against Pakistan], so slowly we will build on it now that I know he's going to open for the next few games as well. So that conversation between us is really, really important, and I hope that it continues because it's going to only help both of us,” Sharma signed off.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all