Rohit Sharma insists India are focussed on their own plans and not Mohammad Amir
Despite India’s early batting collapse in its Asia Cup opener against Bangladesh, opener Rohit Sharma is confident that the much-acclaimed batting unit has the capacity to overcome the threat posed by the Pakistan bowlers, IBNLive reports.
"It's not a matter of concern because we still scored big. Games will happen where you will lose wickets but we have a solid team which is ready to take up the challenge,” Rohit said addressing the media on the eve of India’s next match against Pakistan. “Against Bangladesh, our middle-order did well and Hardik came in and smashed all around.”
While Rohit admitted that the contest on Saturday will be more about how the Indian batsmen fares against Pakistan’s pace battery led by Mohammad Amir, he added that India has been focussing on their strengths and not on the opposition.
"Yes, they have a formidable bowling attack but we would want to concentrate more on our strengths and prepare our plans accordingly. Our strength is batting and depending on the wicket we will have to focus on that. Every team has its own specialities. They have good left-arm seamers in their armoury while we have better spinners," he said.
Having overcome the challenge posed by Mustafizur Rahim on Wednesday, the 28-year-old said that Pakistan had a number of good bowlers who needed to be dealt with individually rather than focussing solely on someone like Mohammad Amir.
"I have played him before but also other bowlers. We are preparing for each individual and not just about one. We have to be well prepared and we are up for the challenge. We are not thinking too far ahead and doing everything possible we can to win games," Rohit said.
He also expressed satisfaction at the way the team was performing in the lead-up to the World T20 but added that they should not lose focus of the present by thinking ahead too much.
"For us also, we have been playing with the squad for a while which shows that we have a good bunch, which is ready to take up the challenge at any given point of time. That's a good sign and we are very proud of that,” he said. "It's a good sign going to the World T20. But we have three more games to go and the focus now is on against the game versus Pakistan."
Rohit Sharma rates knock against Bangladesh as one of his best
Rohit Sharma, who continued his fine run of form with his match-winning knock of 83 against Bangladesh, feels it was one of his best knocks to date as it came under challenging conditions and at a time when the team needed it most.
"It was unusual to see a wicket such as that in this part of the world. Having said that, we have to play on whatever pitches we get. I would probably rate this innings higher because of the odds (that were stacked against us). It was not an easy wicket and we lost wickets up front.
"It was my responsibility as a top-order batsman to bat through which I am happy to have done. We have spoken about it in the team meetings that one of the top-order batsmen have to bat as long as possible. After that it was up to the bowlers who didn't disappoint us at all," Rohit said.
He thanked the team management who backed him during the bad times as he feels it was the confidence entrusted in him that has enabled him to deliver on a consistent basis.
“If any individual knows that, he has the backing of the team, that's when he opens up and expresses himself better - gets the performance going," he said.