India’s limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma is enjoying the rest from the T20I series against Sri Lanka. The right-hander is also looking forward to the crucial upcoming New Zealand tour. Rohit was able to grab his chance in the Test fold when he was asked to open in the Test series against South Africa. The talisman took the role like fish to water and scored 529 runs in the three-Test matches.
The right-hander scored his runs at a stunning average of 110.57 and delivered the goods for the team. Meanwhile, it is always challenging to bat in the New Zealand conditions, where the pitches are conducive to seam bowling. The ball darts a lot in the Kiwis conditions, which makes it difficult for the batters to get their runs.
Rohit Sharma is at the top of his prowess.
“New Zealand is not the easiest place to play cricket. Last time, we lost the Test series (0-1) but we gave a good fight. But this bowling attack of ours is completely different from what we had back then,” Rohit told PTI in an interview.
“For me personally, it’s going to be a challenge, without doubt, facing the new ball bowlers and the guys who bowl in the middle overs,” he said.
However, Rohit Sharma has a good experience of batting in New Zealand conditions. The right-hander was part of the team on the 2014 tour, on which India lost 1-0 in the Test series. But the Indian team is a different side as they have a potent bowling unit. Rohit added it is always a challenge to open the innings in the arduous conditions.
“Facing the new ball in any condition is not that easy. Of course, it’s a lot tougher outside India. But then, we played three Test matches against South Africa and I have never seen the ball swing so much in India as it did in Pune (second Test),” he recalled.
“The first few overs that they (SA) bowled, the pitch was damp and so they got pretty much everything out of it. In Ranchi (where he got a double hundred) also, we were three down in no time.
“But I know what to expect as I have been there the last time (2014 series). Not the easiest of conditions but I will be ready for that challenge,” he added.
India will play five T20Is, three ODIs and two Test matches on the tour of New Zealand. Rohit Sharma will look to provide a good start to the team with Mayank Agarwal in the Test series and he is going to hold the key.