Rohit Sharma has had a phenomenal 2013. But it doesn’t look like the opener will end the year on a happy note. The signs are ominous. Against Dale Steyn in Johannesburg, it took him an eternity to put bat on ball. In Durban, a full-blooded pull shot landed in the hands of Hashim Amla at short midwicket.
Sharma was expected to score more than the 37 runs he has. And, on Tuesday, he accepted the blame on behalf of the entire batting unit.
“In the last two games, we obviously didn’t bat well, which is why we lost the games. There is no excuse of being short on match practice or something. We have been playing continuously in the last three months or so but, yes, we just need to be aware of our shot selection.
“It is really up to each individual how he tackles it, how he understands his game and adjusts accordingly,” the opener said in one breath or so.
Sharma highlighted the need for partnerships, something India have failed to register.
“If you want to win games, every player has to perform. What we missed (in the first two games) were partnerships. That’s what we did over the last year: we put up good partnerships, especially at the top of the order. That’s not happening here. We need to get one 100-run partnership and a couple of 50-run partnerships. That is our goal. That is not happening.”
India have looked abject on all counts, and that has prompted the locals to wonder if this team will ever put up a fight, leave alone win. Sharma rubbished such notions. “We are here to compete and not have fun and just look around South Africa. Ever since we arrived, we have wanted to provide a point,” he said.
“We tried our best but, unfortunately, it didn’t work out. There is one more ODI and a couple of Tests to go. I am sure things will turn around.”
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