Rohit Sharma: I was more focused during New Zealand Tests

Rohit Sharma’s journey in Test cricket has been one sinusoidal curve. He rose to prominence by smashing West Indians inSachin Tendulkar's farewell series  in November 2013 but couldn’t capitalize on the chances thus after, despite getting a lot of chances, both under the leadership of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.

But the watershed moment arrived for him in the New Zealand's tour if India, where Rohit showed admirable composure to score 35, 68*, 2, 82 and 51*. But, he suffered an injury to his thigh during the final match of India’s One-Day International series against the Kiwis in Visakhapatnam that resulted in him having to undergo surgery to his right thigh.

"I can say that I was more focused on my batting this time and to provide contributions down the order that were very useful to the team was satisfying. Every game you play is a learning curve because you learn something new from it because each match throws up opportunities for you to learn something new about your game. You're always put under pressure in different situations, from which you have to react. In that regard, the last series was great for me, personally,” Sharma told TOI in an interview.

Rohit put the team performance ahead of his personal achievements and said that the whitewash and the rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings was more important to him than personal plaudits.

"However, the fact that we won 3-0 was more important for me rather than my performances. Performances will keep happening and sometimes you won't do well, but what is important is that the team does well and remains at the top [of the ICC Test rankings]."

Although the injury came at a wrong time, the Mumbaikar believes that he can be back with elan soon.

"I was on the right path but unfortunately I got injured. That can happen at any time. I'm trying to look forward and hopefully, I'll be back," Sharma said .