Rohit Sharma, who boasts a magnificent ODI record in Australia – 805 runs at an average of 57.50 in 16 matches – has attributed his success to the pace and bouncy wickets in Down Under.

"I grew up playing on cement pitches back home. And the bounce, especially in Brisbane and Perth, allows me to play my game," Rohit quoted as saying by Sportstar.

Sharma earned a spot in the Indian Test squad on the back of his stunning show in the white-ball cricket. In 2018, India’s limited-overs vice-captain is averaging a whopping 73.57 in ODI cricket with 1030 runs while he averages 40 in T20I cricket from 16 matches with 2 tons and 3 fifties. Rohit is aware of the importance of Test cap and no wonder he feels that red-ball cricket in Down Under will be the real test for him.

"I've had good outings here in the past.  The real challenge, however, is red ball cricket. But for now, I just want to focus on the  T20s," Rohit remarked.

"Last time we were in Australia (2016), we beat them 3-0 in the T20I series. Yes, negotiating the bounce will be a challenge for all our batsmen but most of these guys have come here before, so they understand the conditions well.

"Australian bowlers will pose a threat regardless of the format. One of the reasons we came here early was to get used to the bounce. I haven't played at the new Perth stadium yet, but I believe Brisbane's got the fastest wicket in Australia," he continued.

With the 2019 World Cup around the corner, Rohit highlighted the significance of Australia tour. The much-awaited India’s tour of Australia will kick-start with a Twenty20 series on November 21 in Brisbane while the Test series will be played from December 6 to January 7. Subsequently, both the teams will lock in a three-match ODI series.

"Australia at home will always be dangerous. We got to be prepared for it. All we are thinking of is doing well as a unit; you need the whole unit to come together," he said.

"Whenever we travel outside India, there's a special feeling. Australia is one place where we want to leave our mark as a unit. We want to make it count this time around; there's a good feeling (in the squad) about all the three formats ...The motive is to try and cease all the moments and win tournaments, especially with the World Cup around the corner," Rohit concluded.

(With inputs from Sportstar)