Remember the time when Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar used to open the innings for India? The fans started naming it as one of the best opening pairs in ODI cricket. However, they never opened on the big stage, i.e. the World Cup. Then came in Sachin and Sehwag and then Sehwag and Gambhir and today India is talking about a new pair, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
The pair added a record opening stand for India in World Cup’s, 174. It was Shikhar Dhawan’s knock which delighted the crowd but Rohit Sharma’s silent stay at the other end was not any innings which should be ignored. His classic style of batting along with Shikhar Dhawan’s explosiveness is giving India a very good opening pair which understands each other’s game perfectly.
This is what Rohit Sharma has to say when he talked to bcci.tv “We both have good memories of the ICC Champions Trophy as well. We did have a rough patch in between but we knew we could always strike back. “It has been a great journey for me and Shikhar since the time we have started opening together,”
“We, as openers, have a responsibility of laying the perfect platform for the middle order to come and bat the way they want to. I am glad we have been able to give the starts that the team wants from us thus far and it is important that we continue this phase in the coming games,” Rohit said.
When asked about the gameplan, this is what Rohit Sharma had to say “The initial five to six overs were really crucial and with the two new balls it does a little bit, especially in these conditions.
“It was important for us to see off that new ball and be positive as well. Today we were positive right from ball-one. The deliveries which were there to be hit were given the treatment and we got the best out of it. New Zealand is a high scoring place and you have to bide your time in the middle and runs will come.”
“I have played here and I have good memories of Seddon Park,” Rohit said. “The shots were coming off well and I felt really good. I was sticking to my game plan. I had decided that there would be certain shots that I would play and a few that I would cut down on. I did that initially and once I reached a position where I felt I could go for my shots I began playing them.”
Rohit Sharma, however was disappointed for not converting his start into a big one. The wicket was such that you had to spend some time in the middle and then go for your shots. In New Zealand if you get in and play yourself for some time you can make the most of it,” Rohit said. “Unfortunately I got out at the wrong time and I should have converted my start into a big one. But these things happen and it won’t affect me in the future.”
Rohit also had good words for Ireland where they were competitive, “Ireland got off to a good start and played the initial hour very well. It wasn’t easy to play those shots that they played early in the innings. Credit to the Ireland batsmen for the way they started.
“But R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja pulled it back and there were a few crucial overs bowled by Suresh Raina as well that helped us keep the run-scoring under check. To come and control the innings at the stage was really important and if we hadn’t done that, who knows we would have been chasing 300. Bowling well in those middle overs was important and it was backed up by good fielding. ”
India have been exceptional in the tournament so far so with 5 wins out of 5 games and will finish on the top spot irrespective of the result against Zimbabwe. The batting, bowling and fielding has looked top class and they are set to defend the World Cup.
“This tournament is such that momentum plays a huge part. When you come into such tournaments with such a winning momentum, it brings out the best from each individual in the side. The highlight of our wins has been the fact that it has not been just one individual who has taken us through those victories. Almost everyone has contributed towards the team’s success which shows in our results. We are well placed at the moment and it is a good position to be in,” Rohit said.
Quote credtis: BCCI.TV