Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the significant challenge of adapting to various playing conditions in the upcoming World Cup matches. He emphasized that the team might need to make changes in its combinations to suit specific venues. However, Rohit expressed relief after India’s remarkable recovery from a difficult position of 2/3 to secure a six-wicket victory over Australia in their opening match of the tournament.
During the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma stated, “That will be the biggest challenge moving forward because we will play in different conditions. (We) might have to change combinations too, and as a team, we are prepared to do that.”
Rohit Sharma particularly praised the team’s fielding performance, saying, “Good feeling to come out on top. Magnificent, especially the fielding. The fielding was something we really put our effort on. It was a great effort.”
Reflecting on the challenging conditions, Rohit added, “In conditions like this, it can be tough sometimes. We knew there would be assistance for everyone. Seamers got reverse, spinners bowled in nice areas. All in all, a great effort.”
Despite his early dismissal for a duck, Rohit Sharma confessed to feeling nervous when the team was reeling at 2/3 in the second over of the chase. He commended the partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, which ultimately led to India’s victory.
Australian captain Pat Cummins admitted that his team fell short of a competitive total by at least 50 runs. He acknowledged the challenging task of defending a target of fewer than 200 runs. Cummins also mentioned the dropped catch of Virat Kohli early in his innings and emphasized the need for improvement in certain areas.
KL Rahul, who played a crucial role in the successful chase, revealed that Kohli advised him to approach the initial phase of their partnership as they would in Test cricket. Rahul also commented on the pitch conditions, highlighting the variable nature of the wicket.
“In the last 15-20 overs, dew played a part and that helped quite a bit. The ball also skidded on better. However, it was a bit two-paced, it wasn’t the easiest of wickets to bat on and it wasn’t flat as well. It was a good cricket wicket, bit for the batters and the bowlers. That’s what you get in the south of India, especially in Chennai,” Rahul said.
As India navigates the challenges of the World Cup, the ability to adapt to changing conditions and maintain strong partnerships will be crucial for their success in the tournament.
(With Inputs From Team India)