India vs Australia: ‘I did not connect with where I wanted to hit’ – Rohit Sharma has ‘no regrets’ about attacking Nathan Lyon
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Against a fiery Australia pace attack, opener Rohit Sharma gave India a steady start despite losing his partner Shubman Gill early. Rohit played off the new ball with discipline will rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard moving. But his innings came to an abrupt halt as he was caught out in an attempt to take on Nathan Lyon. As he threw away his wicket after a steady start, many experts came about to question his shot selection hailing it as a ‘brain fade’ moment.
On the contrary, Rohit asserts that the shot selection was right, it was the execution which let him down. The explosive white ball opener explains that his intention was to clear the fielder in the deep but unfortunately didn’t get the connection.
“I reached where I wanted to reach, just that I did not connect with where I wanted to hit the ball. Was trying to pierce that long-on and deep square-leg fielder, I just did not connect with the way I would have loved to. I actually liked what I did today, before coming here, we knew it would be a good pitch to bat, of course, there would be bounce and carry to the keeper, but this is what I enjoy,” Rohit said during the virtual press conference.
My role is to keep the bowlers under pressure
Rohit went on to add that it is important to keep the pressure on the opposition bowling attack. And his shot was only an attempt to execute it. Run scoring has been tough this series given the disciplined bowling attack of both the sides. Rohit feels that if one wants to score runs and keep the pressure on, then they will have to take the risk which comes with it.
“Gill and I understand the importance of the start – we respect good balls, scores in loose balls. We don’t come with a mindset of blocking and surviving. Gill got a good ball today, he will learn more and he shown he belongs in this level,” he said.
“Once I was in and I had played a few overs, I realised there was not much swing so I did little adjustment there, after that, it was an unfortunate dismissal, it is something I won’t regret. I like to put pressure on the bowler once I am in and that is my role in this team to keep putting pressure on the bowlers. The run-scoring has been slightly difficult for both the teams so someone needs to put their hand up and think about how to put pressure on the bowlers,” he added.
“In doing that, there is a chance of making mistakes but you should be ready to accept that. It was a plan so I actually have no regrets about playing that shot, it is something I like to, Nathan Lyon is a smart bowler, he bowled into me so I was not able to get the elevation.“
Australia are ahead at the Gabba before rain led to the suspension of play in the final session of the second day. Having lost the openers, India will resume play tomorrow from 62 with the experienced duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane out in the middle.
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