IND v SA | Just wanted to go out there and do what I do best, says Rohit Sharma
After delivering a man-of-match performance against in the first Test, Rohit Sharma admitted that he simply wanted to do what he usually does best out in the middle. In his debut match as a Test opener, India rode on Rohit’s twin centuries - 176 and 127 - to beat South Africa by 203 runs.
For a man who grew up as a middle-order batsman, then took a specialization in opening in white-ball cricket with his flamboyant hitting, to deliver two centuries, although on home soil, facing the red cherry against quality opposition like Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander is a most commendable feat. And while all of us — fans and pundits alike — sing his praises, Rohit admits that all he wanted to do was to perform his job for his team to perfection.
“Just wanted to go out there and do what I do best. Great opportunity for me at the top. Thankful for the chance, considering I've never done that before. Focus was on winning the Test match and I think we pretty much did everything right today,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation, reported Cricbuzz.
“My job here is to play in a certain manner, that's what they expect from me. And I'm going to try to do that. It's my game to mix caution with aggression. Everything depends on the situation you're batting in,” Rohit said.
He further revealed that he had begun his preparations to open in red-ball cricket once the possibility of such an opportunity was communicated to him at least a couple of years back.
“Couple of years ago it was communicated to me that I might open someday. Even in nets I used to practice with the new ball. Wouldn't say it was a surprise. No matter what ball you play, whether it's red ball or white ball. At the start you've got to be careful. Focus on basics - leaving ball outside off, playing close to the body,” Rohit continued.
Enroute his show at Vizag, the ‘Hitman’ broke a few records, of which he admitted that he was not aware. Put together, Rohit’s 13 sixes in the Test match is the highest any batsman has ever managed in a single Test.
“There are a lot of things in Test which I'm not aware of in terms of records. Focus was to have fun and put team in a good position. Had to try and play some shots. May come off and may not come off. Bowlers are pretty smart these days. I back myself and I guess fortune favours the brave,” Rohit added.
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