IND v ENG 2021: "The intent to score runs and not just survive, helped me," says Rohit Sharma

Rohit also lauded Akshar Patel for his heroics in the day-night Test in Ahmedabad.

Indian opener Rohit Sharma has credited his intent to not just to survive but try also to score runs while respecting the good balls to his entertaining first innings knock in the day-night Test against England at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The right-hander was the only batsman to cross the 60-run mark from both India and England teams on the difficult Motera track in the pink ball Test – which India won by 10 wickets on Thursday (Feb 25).

He scored a brilliant 66 off 96 balls laced with 11 fours to take Team India to 145 in the first innings as well as hit the winning run for the hosts in the second innings, as the opener finished off the day-night Test with a dazzling six to beat England by 10 wickets in the third Test in Ahmedabad.

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Rohit said during the virtual conference: “When you are playing on a pitch like that, you need to have the intent and look to score runs as well. You can't just keep blocking. As you saw, that odd ball might just turn and the odd ball might just skid on to stumps when you play for turn.”

The 33-year-old believes that he was a step or two ahead of England bowlers during his knock.

He added, “You just need to be slightly ahead at times and try and find ways to score runs. My intent was not just to survive, but try and score runs as well, while respecting the good balls. That's all I tried to do.

The pitch was an interesting one and oddball was just coming in and some were taking turns. On a track like this, you need to have a clear mindset, which I think I did until I played that sweep shot.”

Rohit also lauded Akshar Patel, who was adjudged player of the match for his brilliant performance with the ball in the pink-ball Test against England, as the spinner returned with match-winning figures 6/38 and 5/32 and the batsman feels his strategy of attacking the stumps paid off well.

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The opener further noted, “Akshar was simply brilliant. Coming out from nowhere and performing is never easy. He was out injured, slightly down, came back, and bowled very well in Chennai. He understands conditions well and how to vary the pace and what lines to bowl.”

He signed off by saying, “He made the batter play most balls which is important as you never know which one is going to turn. It all goes to his skill-sets. He bowls a little wider off the crease and slightly slinging action makes it very difficult for the batsman to either leave or play.”

(With PTI Inputs)