I’m happy with my innings: Rohit
First Published : 10 Dec 2012, 20:59
Last Modified : 12 Dec 2012, 15:29
Mumbai, Dec 10: Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 163-run knock against Punjab has helped Mumbai stay in the game and it gives them a chance to claim three points on the basis of a first innings lead depending on their performance on the fourth day of the match. With an unbroken 171-run stand with a patient Hiken Shah he took Mumbai to 364 for three at the end of the third day’s play.
While speaking to the press after the end of day’s play Sharma talked about his batting and reflected on the day’s proceedings.
Excerpts from his media interaction:
On the day
The day was very good for the team. We lost only two wickets today. I am very happy with the way things have gone so far. Tomorrow is very important; we have to score close to 220 runs [217].
On his batting
I was confident going into this inning as I have always been. I just wanted to play the initial 40-50 balls and then take it forward from there and I think it really worked according to my plan. I had planned to just stay there for about 50-60 balls and then carry on from there so I did that and it resulted in this manner.
On the importance of his knock
The knock was very important. It was very important for me and the team. I am not thinking about T20s [versus England] right now. As I have been always saying whatever is next thing [on the agenda] is more important for me and for now the next thing for me is tomorrow’s day when we have to bat well and score 581 runs so that we get three points so we will try to win this for the team [on the basis of a first innings lead]. And then I will think about T20.
On whether the knock meant more to him from a national selection point of view
I don’t want to worry about things like the selectors watching or performances being noticed. My job is to score runs and I will keep doing that no matter what people are talking or what is happening outside my cricket world. I just want to concentrate on my job which is to do what I did today.
On Hiken Shah’s innings
We had a partnership when Bhajji [Harbhajan Singh] and Bipul Sharma were bowling well and were getting help from the wicket. Hiken alongwith Nayar are probably the best batsmen in our team right now . They have both been scoring consistently and batting well so a lot of responsibility is on their shoulders as well and he proved it today. I just want him to carry on and not take anything lightly as you never know [what might happen with] performances being noticed.
On whether he had decided to hit out when he slammed Bipul Sharma for two sixes
Nothing like that, it is my natural game. As I said, I wanted to be careful with the first 20-25 balls about what I am doing. If I feel that I can take on the bowler than I will go for it. The fielders were up so I just took the chance. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn’t so luckily it was good enough to send it over the ropes.
On Harbhajan Singh’s bowling
I think he was bowling really well. He got one wicket and there is enough for the bowlers there [in the wicket] and he is a quality bowler. No one is taking him lightly. He has been main India’s spin bowler after Anil Kumble for a while so we just wanted to see him off because he was looking a little dangerous in that one spell. We wanted to play according to the plan and our plan was to just stay on the wicket and not give wickets because once you get your eye in it is easy to score runs.
On whether he felt he was on top of his game
Before the season I was on the top of my game but sometimes your shots pay off and sometimes they don’t. But I was hitting the ball well and I am very happy with the way I batted today. It was more fluent and it doesn’t end here I have to carry on tomorrow and get as many runs as possible.
