Internet Desk: Star Indian batsman Rohit Sharma feels they need to focus on their core strength, which is batting rather than think about Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack.
“Yes, they have a formidable bowling attack but we would want to concentrate more on our strengths and prepare our plans accordingly. Our strength is batting and depending on the wicket we will have to focus on that. Every team has its own specialties. They have good left-arm seamers in their armoury while we have better spinners.”
On being asked about the prospect of facing Muhammad Amir , Rohit made it clear that he is not only focusing on Muhammad Amir but also on the whole Pakistan bowling attack.
“I have played him before but also other bowlers. We are preparing for each individual and not just about one. We have to be well prepared and we are up for the challenge. We are not thinking too far ahead and doing everything possible we can to win games.”
Rohit credited the team management, particularly Dhoni for the transformation in him. Once regarded as the most inconsistent batsman in the team, Rohit has now developed himself into a very dependable batsman now , someone the team management can rely on.
“If any individual knows that he has the backing of the team, that’s when he opens up and expresses himself better — gets the performance going,”
Rohit termed his match-winning 83 off 55 balls against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup opener as one of his better T20 innings considering the nature of the Sher-e-Bangla strip.
“It was unusual to see a wicket such as that in this part of the world. Having said that, we have to play on whatever pitches we get. I would probably rate this innings higher because of the odds (that were stacked against us). It was not an easy wicket and we lost wickets upfront.”
Talking about his role in the team , Rohit said it is his responsibility to bat through as long as possible .
“It was my responsibility as a top-order batsman to bat through which I am happy to have done. We have spoken about it in the team meetings that one of the top-order batsmen have to bat as long as possible. After that it was up to the bowlers who didn’t disappoint us at all.”
Rohit feel Pakistan cannot be taken lightly as they are coming back after playing a lot of T20 cricket courtesy the Pakistan Super League.
“They have been playing lot of T20 cricket of late. There are challenges for a batsman on wickets such as Mirpur.”
Last time the two teams met at the same venue during the 2014 Asia Cup, India had lost with Shahid Afridi hitting two sixes in the final over but that is not something that this team is thinking about.
“What happened two years ago does not matter at all. That was an ODI and this is a T20 match. Here current form is important. Our team does not dwell on the past nor do we look too much into the future.”