India vs England | Rohit Sharma – Have to be more proactive than reactive on these pitches

Rohit Sharma, after his terrific 161-run innings in the 2nd Test against England in Chennai, has stated that on turning tracks, batsmen have to be proactive in their approach rather than being reactive.

The pitch for the second Test in Chennai was contrastingly different from that of the first Test, with the ball turning from Day 1. The Indian team had anticipated the kind of pitches they would be getting, thus prepared for the challenge beforehand.

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It was visible in their approach as both Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane played more sweep shots and didn’t try any cross-batted strokes due to the tangible nature of the pitch. At the day-end press conference, Rohit admitted the same and stated that they were preparing for such a scenario.

“I was just playing to the merit of the ball, I didn’t play many cross-batted shots. You have to keep your intent up there, you have to be more proactive every delivery. I’m not going to rate any of my knocks, every one of it comes under different circumstances.

“I’m happy with the fact that I could help the team get to a respectable position,” Rohit stated in the press conference at the close of day one.

The Indian batsmen, especially Rohit and Rahane batted with wholesome authority after a mini-collapse in the first session threatened to break the dam. However, the duo mixed caution with aggression to change the tempo of the game and from there on, it seemed like a one-way street.

“We knew about these conditions and the pitch. We were aware that it was going to turn, we trained accordingly to the match situation.

“So basically, using your feet more often and sweeping was what we trained for. We have to be more proactive than reactive on these pitches. It was important to be on the top of the bowler in these pitches.

“Also, it is crucial to understand how the ball is turning, the bounce, and everything. That was my decision making going into a shot. The preparation really helped me in terms of going out and playing my shot.

“It was important to be proactive, with the ball turning or keeping low. You had to make sure that it was never too late. You can’t be tentative about your shot selection. What helped me was the preparation I had before the game. All I wanted to focus on ways to get these things right, also look at the line that they are bowling.”

Rohit: Great to have fans back in the stadium

Today, fans entered the stadium for the first time in a sporting event and that added to the intensity of the Test. Rohit acknowledged the same and stated that players feed off from that energy.

“It was great fun to have spectators back to the stadium. It livens up the atmosphere, the first game was a little low from an intensity point of view. It was nice to have the crowd back and I’m really happy that they have witnessed good cricket. I’m sure that they are going to enjoy the next four days as well,” Rohit said in the presser.