Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma has excelled in the ODI and Twenty20 formats but is desperate to prove his worth in the longer version of the game as well.
Rohit Sharma is itching to prove that he can be as effective in Tests as in ODIs
MUMBAI: Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma has excelled in the ODI and Twenty20 formats but is desperate to prove his worth in the longer version of the game as well.
The youngster was included in the Test squad against Sri Lanka but didn’t make it to the playing XI.
He was subsequently dropped from the Rest of India squad in the Irani Trophy due to a dip in his ODI form.
With the Ranji Trophy season starting from Monday, the 21-year-old has got another chance to prove it to himself and his critics that he is a genuine performer in the longer format too. In Round I, Mumbai face Rajasthan at the Brabourne Stadium.
“Everyone knows this season is very important and there have been high expectations from us after we failed to make the semifinals last season. Players are all geared up.
“Personally, I feel the opening match of a fresh season is always very important. It sets up the tone for the performances ahead as a cricketer. I scored a century recently against Australia A. I have played well in the shorter format and now I want to prove my worth in the longer format of the game too,” he told DNA.
Though he made an impact in the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa followed by the CB Series in Australia, the youngster struggled in the Ranji Trophy, scoring just 191 runs in five matches.
“Last year was a forgettable one for me in Ranji. But I managed to do well in Australia. These stages are there in a cricketer’s life… I don’t want to ponder over it and just focus on what I have to do. I did well in my debut Ranji season but now must do even better than that,” he added.
The Team India No.6 slot will be empty once Sourav Ganguly retires at the end of the ongoing series versus Australia and there are quite a few aspirants eyeing that spot.
Sharma, however, is not thinking on those lines.
“Ranji Trophy is a big platform for everyone and people follow it very closely. My focus right now is to get those big scores that will help my team,” he added.
The stylish batsman have been playing shorter version quite often lately, so will it be difficult for him to shift gears?
“It not easy or difficult. It is up to an individual how he takes it. With lots of cricket being played these days one needs to be ready for any format. I don’t have a problem with adjusting because I believe it is more a mental thing physical.”
Sharma praised Wasim Jaffer who will be making his debut as a skipper for Mumbai. “I have played under him because he is leading the IOC side. He is a cool and calm customer like Dhoni,” he added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}