Rohit Sharma lists ‘batting deep’ mantra for success after New Zealand series win: No. 8, 9 can play big roles

Newly-appointed T20I captain Rohit Sharma laid down the ‘batting deep’ mantra for success in the shortest format of the game after guiding the Indian team to a clean sweep in his first series as full-time skipper. Rohit dwelled on the fact that Harshal Patel and Deepak Chahar have played important roles with the bat in the past and could be crucial to India’s plans going forward at No.8 and No.9

Notably, Axar Patel’s triple strike derailed New Zealand and helped India seal a 73-run win in the third T20I at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. The home team swept the series 3-0 and is on a six-match unbeaten run in T20Is. Rohit heaped rich praise on the Indian spinners, saying that R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar did the job for the national team in the 3-0 series win over New Zealand.

India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I: Highlights | Report

“It’s important to start well. That’s always been my mindset. Once you’ve seen the pitch you know what you’ve got to do,” Rohit Sharma, who won the Player of the Series for his 159 runs, said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

“It was nice coming onto the bat with the dew coming early. We had something planned as a batting group. Wouldn’t say it worked out well. Room for improvement in the middle order. The batting front – KL missed out today but his form is critical. Middle-order didn’t get much opportunity except today.

“The spinners did the job for us in the entire series. The way Ashwin bowled, Axar. And how Chahal came back? Good to see Venkatesh Iyer bowling those overs with the skills he has. Important for us going forward. I would prefer that going forward .. teams around the world bat deep till No.8, No.9. Harshal, when he plays for Haryana, he opens the batting for them. And then Deepak, we saw what he did in SL. Chahal was looking forward to batting as well.

Rohit, who was named Player of the Series for his 159 runs, revealed that he grew up playing on a concrete pitch and his approach changed once he started opening for the national team. Rohit also said that playing the short-pitched ball has been one of his strengths so he tries to play that and get the maximum result.

“I grew up playing on a concrete pitch back in the day. Once I started opening, a lot of things changed. I won’t say it came naturally. I’ve practiced a lot playing those shots. Some days it comes off very well, but I’ve also got to play that shot. That’s why I say when you’ve got a certain strength, you’ve got to back it,” Rohit signed off.

The teams will now lock horns in a two-Test series beginning in Kanpur on Thursday