India sealed a triumphant whitewash against Afghanistan in the T20I series, claiming victory in all three matches. The series sparked questions about the inclusion of captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the selection of young players, and the team’s long-term strategy with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup approaching. However, Rohit Sharma’s stellar leadership and a magnificent century answered these doubts conclusively.

In an exclusive interview with JioCinema, Rohit Sharma revealed the extensive planning discussions he had with head coach Rahul Dravid before the series. Returning to the T20I side after a 14-month hiatus, Sharma emphasized the importance of implementing new ideas and approaches, building on his observations of the game during his absence.

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“We had a lot of discussions before the series. I had not played for one year, so I discussed ideas with Rahul bhai (Dravid). Although I was watching the games, I was not playing. I got an understanding of a few things, so we wanted to implement them and also do something different,” explained Rohit Sharma.

Among the key discussions was the strategic utilization of bowlers. With newer faces like Mukesh Sharma, Avesh Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi joining the side, the focus was on optimizing their skills and fostering growth by exposing them to different challenges. Rohit emphasized the importance of making bowlers comfortable in various situations, such as the power play or death overs.

“We wanted our bowlers to bowl in a different way. Someone wasn’t comfortable bowling in the power play, so we had to use them there. Some were not comfortable bowling at the death, we asked them to bowl there,” Rohit Sharma elaborated.

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The strategy paid off as the Indian bowlers, particularly Ravi Bishnoi, rose to the occasion. Bishnoi’s crucial wickets in the final game secured the series in spectacular fashion for the home side. The successful execution of their plans showcased the team’s adaptability and strategic acumen under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.