IND v AUS 2023: “Can’t give you the entire detail,” replies Rohit Sharma when asked about his batting mantra on tricky tracks

Rohit has been the team's top scorer with 207 runs from three Tests.

By Salman Anjum - 08 Mar, 2023

The fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is all set to get underway at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (March 9).

On the eve of the series-decider, India skipper Rohit Sharma addressed a press conference, where he was asked about his mantra for batting on tricky tracks.

In reply, Rohit said there can't be a one-size-fits-all approach, which could be damaging to the team's greater cause. The Indian captain has been the team's top scorer with 207 runs from three matches, including a remarkable 120 in the opening Test in Nagpur.

Furthermore, Rohit has looked very assured while playing the Australian spinners, although a second big knock eluded him in the series.

"See, I think when you are playing on these kinds of pitches you have to slightly stay ahead of the bowler as well," Rohit said in response to a query from PTI.

"Before he (bowler) does anything, you are ready with what you want to do. It should be that kind of a mindset. I'm just talking about me, not talking about anyone else. It's how I approach (batting). I cannot give you the entire detail of how I approach an innings because it won't be right," he added.

"Nagpur was a great example for me as well as to how I wanted to bat in the series. Also, before the series we played a series against England. In that series, I got a 100 in Chennai (2021, second Test) where the pitch was turning a little bit."

His methods are exclusive to him as some might take 70-80 balls to get set, while others might want to take on the bowlers from outset.

"I try to apply myself, try and do what I'm good at, things like that. You have got to adapt to your strength and it will be different from the others. So I try and stick to my plans, my strength and what I do the best. Stick to those kinds of things."

When asked what will be his message to the other top-order batters, Rohit replied: "How challenging the pitches are, how much is it turning, how much is it seaming and all that... we're trying to keep all of that away. Conditions are there for us to play and you've got to find a way to score runs whatever pitches you play on. That is the talk."

Rohit feels the more challenging the track, one needs to find more innovative ways to cope with it.

"We're just trying to figure more and more methods of coming out on top when the pitches are challenging. So, yeah, every individual is different and they'll find their own methods of scoring runs.

"Obviously, all these guys have played a lot of cricket. You can't change a lot of things in a span of three weeks. You just need to change your mindset."

"You need to adapt to conditions as quickly as possible, the various approaches to your batting. Those kinds of things. More than the skills, it's mentally how you prepare yourself, how you want to tackle the opposition bowlers and what they're throwing at you. So, things like that. I think it's more mental than the skills.”

(With PTI Inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 08 Mar, 2023

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