The seasoned Indian opener, Rohit Sharma asserted that his sublime first innings half-century was the result of the positive intent that he displayed by not just trying to survive on an “interesting” but “normal” Indian pitch where England suffered a 10-wicket loss. The senior opener scored India’s only half-century of the game with the home side spinners accounting for 18 wickets. England batsmen were deceived by Axar Patel’s straighter deliveries that skidded straight instead of turning.

During the virtual press conference after the end of the match, Rohit Sharm said, “When you are playing on a pitch like that, you need to have an intent and look to score runs as well. You can’t just keep blocking. As you saw an odd ball might just turn and odd ball might just skid on to stumps when you play for the turn. My intent was not just to survive but try and score runs as well while respecting the good balls. That’s all I tried to do.”

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Rohit felt that during his innings of 66, he managed to outthink the visiting bowlers at the pitch was an interesting one and odd ball was just coming in. He reckons that on such tracks, batmen need to have a clear mindset, which he did until I played that sweep shot.

The Indian opener felt that Axar’s strategy of attacking the stumps paid off well. Lauding the left-arm spinner who had big shoes to fill, replacing Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit said, “Coming out from nowhere and performing is never easy. He was out injured, slightly down, came back and bowled very well in Chennai. He understands conditions well and how to vary the pace and what lines to bowl.”

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Sharma further explained, “He made the batter play most balls which is important as you never know which one is going to turn. It all goes to his skill-sets. He bowls little wider off the crease and slightly slinging action makes it very difficult for batsman to either leave or play.”