As Rohit Sharma walked out to bat with Mumbai 131 for three in the crucial Ranji Trophy Super League tie against Gujarat, the feeling of having always done well at the Cricket Club of India was a huge confidence-booster.
As Rohit Sharma walked out to bat with Mumbai 131 for three in the crucial Ranji Trophy Super League tie against Gujarat, the feeling of having always done well at the Cricket Club of India was a huge confidence-booster.
|
|
Feeling the heat: Centurions Sushant Marathe (left) and Rohit Sharma at the CCI yesterday. pic/atul kamble |
But what also played a big role in his unbeaten 145 that helped Mumbai reach 353 for three in a game they must not lose to qualify for the knock-out stages, was also the hundred he got against Railways in Delhi two games earlier. Opener Sushant Marathe was unbeaten on 105 at close of play yesterday.
"We were not playing at home against Railways and the pitch was not the type that suited my style of playing," said Sharma, who said he decided to play his natural game yesterday and was aggressive from the beginning.
"The wicket there was prepared to help the Railways bowlers and it was turning and bouncing a lot. So, the odds were against me the whole time. Not many batsmen from either side got runs there so to get a hundred in that match gave me a lot of confidence," Sharma added.
With Sharma in full flow, Gujarat went on the defensive with leg-spinner Salil Yadav bowling a negative line outside the leg stump for most parts of the last three hours. Once again, the innings against Railways helped him deal with it. Rather than looking for boundaries he was getting easily till then, Sharma bided his time patiently and scored freely once the pacers came on.
"Negative tactics are nothing new. So, it was not difficult for me. Also, even the Railways bowlers were bowling a negative line and I had dealt with it then. And if the field is defensive, it's easy to get singles," Sharma said.
