Rohit Sharma : I didn’t celebrate my century because two players got run-out before me

Rohit faced a lot of backlashes when he struggled in the first two Tests against South Africa and failed to give a strong start in the ODI series as well and managed only 40 runs in the first four 50-overs game. But in Port Elizabeth, he finally found his groove and played a knock of 115 runs off 126 deliveries including 11 boundaries and four sixes. Unfortunately, before scoring his century, Rohit was involved in two run-outs that of the Indian skipper and Rahane and because of that disappointment, he didn’t celebrate when he reached the 100-run mark.

“This will be right up there. After 25 years, we have won a series in South Africa. Not the easiest place to play cricket, definitely not the easiest place to win a series. We won the tri-series in Australia. Even that series was quite tough. For me, it is difficult to compare the two. I mean it is difficult to say which series means more but I think this series means a lot to us. The way we played from the first game, we have dominated the series.

Earlier in many occasions and even in the ongoing series, Team India’s middle order over-trusted on the opening batsmen. Thanks to the top three players who managed to hold the pressure in the front of the South African bowling attack. Rohit believes that because of playing in the top of the batting line-up they have the advantage of playing extra balls but the middle order didn’t get that kind of opportunity.

“Whatever series we have played before, in India and in Champions Trophy, a lot of the scoring has been done by the top three guys. It augurs well for the team. We always talk about batsmen batting through the innings. That is what we are trying to do. The top three have got the best opportunity because they get to play maximum balls. So our three’s responsibility is that if we are set then we have to try and play long.”

“It’s always good to have the cushion of that sixth bowler. Kedar has unfortunately been injured. That provided these guys a challenge knowing they don’t have anyone else to bowl those overs if needed. The confidence that they got from the last two games is immense. We have confidence in those five bowlers that we played. Hardik deserves special mention -- the way he came out and bowled in the middle, at the start, towards the end as well. He got crucial breakthroughs.”