We are preparing for each individual and not just Amir: Rohit Sharma

02/27/2016

Speaking ahead of the much awaited India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup, Rohit Sharma has praised the Pakistani bowling attack, but feels that his team is prepared for the challenges. Rohit also insisted that the team management's continuous backing has helped him express himself as a batsman.

Rohit acknowledged that Pakistan's strength lies in their 'formidable' bowling attack, which has been strengthened by the return of Mohammad Amir. However, the right-handed batsman said that the team is not focusing just on the left-arm pacer, he said, "Yes, they have a formidable bowling attack but we would want to concentrate more on our strengths and prepare our plans accordingly. Our strength is batting and depending on the wicket we will have to focus on that. Every team has its own specialities. They have good left-arm seamers in their armoury while we have better spinners.

"I have played him before but also other bowlers. We are preparing for each individual and not just about one. We have to be well prepared and we are up for the challenge. We are not thinking too far ahead and doing everything possible we can to win games."

The 28-year-old has been in stunning form recently, and he has thanked the team management for having their faith in him even when he was struggling to score runs.

"If any individual knows that he has the backing of the team, that's when he opens up and expresses himself better -- gets the performance going,

"For us also, we have been playing with the squad for a while which shows that we have a good bunch, which is ready to take up the challenge at any given point of time. That's a good sign and we are very proud of that.

"It's a good sign going to the World T20. But we have three more games to go and the focus now is on against the game versus Pakistan," he said.

Rohit scored a match-winning 83 in the first match against Bangladesh, while the rest of his teammates struggled to get going on a green surface. Rohit expressed his surprise on the surface Bangladesh had prepared, but feels that can never be an excuse for them.

"It was unusual to see a wicket such as that in this part of the world. Having said that, we have to play on whatever pitches we get. I would probably rate this innings higher because of the odds (that were stacked against us). It was not an easy wicket and we lost wickets up front.

"It was my responsibility as a top-order batsman to bat through which I am happy to have done. We have spoken about it in the team meetings that one of the top-order batsmen have to bat as long as possible. After that it was up to the bowlers who didn't disappoint us at all.

"They have been playing lot of T20 cricket of late. There are challenges for a batsman on wickets such as Mirpur," he added.

In their last Asia Cup encounter on this ground, India had lost to Pakistan in 2014, but Rohit refused to dwell on the past or the future. He said, "What happened two years ago does not matter at all. That was an ODI and this is a T20 match. Here, current form is important. Our team does not dwell on the past nor do we look too much into the future."

"It's not a matter of concern because we still scored big. Games will happen where you will lose wickets but we have a solid team which is ready to take up the challenge. Against Bangladesh, our middle-order did well and Hardik came in and smashed all around.

"On these kind of tracks, as a batsmen, you have to concentrate on basics. The technique has to be sound and ability to assess the conditions as soon as possible."

We are preparing for each individual and not just Amir: Rohit Sharma

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