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Xtra Time Web Desk: Ace India batsman Rohit Sharma on Thursday defended the wicket for Pink Ball Test at Narendra Modi Stadium. According to Rohit, there were no demons on the wicket. They key for the batsmen to score runs was to have a positive intent on scoring. Rohit was the stand out batsman among both sides, top scoring with 66 & 25* in either innings. There has been a lot of debate about the wicket following the test match finishing in two days with the hosts emerging as the winners by 10 wickets.

 “To be honest I didn’t do anything different. On a pitch like that, you need to have intent. You need to look to score as well, you can’t just keep blocking. The odd ball might just turn, skid on to the stumps if you play for the turn. It’s important to use your feet, try and do as many things as possible to stay ahead of the bowler’s mindset. You need to make sure that you try and find ways to score runs,” Rohit Sharma said in the post match press conference.

“My intent was not to just survive, but also try and score runs while respecting the good balls.

“The pitch was an interesting one, the odd ball was coming in and some were taking turn. You need to bat with a clear mindset, which I did until I played that sweep shot in the first innings.

“Honestly speaking the pitch didn’t do anything. If I can recollect, lot of the balls the batters got out to was to straighter deliveries. We also didn’t bat well, not just them. The pitch had nothing, no demons as we call. It was a nice pitch to bat on.

“Once you’re in, you can score runs as well. You just need to apply and keep concentrating, and score runs.”