NEW DELHI: As India and Australia get set for the big-ticket World Cup final on Sunday in Ahmedabad, skipper Rohit Sharma pointed out that the track used during the India vs Pakistan game at the same venue was a lot drier.
Unsure on how the pitch will play out during the final, Rohit expects it to be on the slower side.
The skipper also asserted that toss won’t be a major factor in the summit clash as dew might not come into play.
“There was no grass on that wicket but this has a bit of grass on it. The wicket from India vs Pakistan was a lot drier. I still haven’t looked at the wicket today. But from my understanding, it’s going to be on a slower side. We’ll see the pitch tomorrow and assess. The temperature has dropped a bit as well. I don’t know how much of a factor the dew will be because in that Pakistan game there was a lot of dew during training but not on matchday. Same happened at Wankhede where there was dew one day before but not during the semis. I don’t think the toss will play a big role,” Rohit said on the eve of the final.
Rohit’s explosive batting has unsettled opponents during India’s 10-match winning streak but the skipper said he would rein himself in if the team needs a different approach in the final against five-time champions Australia.
Rohit has scored 550 runs in the tournament – including 354 in the first 10 overs of matches – but the powerful right-hander has shown he can drop anchor too, as he did in his 101-ball 87 against England after India slipped to 40-3 inside 12 overs.
“Before the start of the World Cup, I wanted to play in a certain manner. I had no idea if it’s going to come off… what if it doesn’t? I had plans for both,” Rohit said.
“For me what’s important is because I start the innings, there’s a bit of freedom to go and express myself. But in that game against England I had to change my game a bit once we lost a few wickets. I’m prepared to do that as well.
“That’s what the experienced player needs to do. You can’t just think you have to play one way. You have to adapt quickly knowing the situations that are there in front of you. I’m prepared to do whatever I feel is right for the team.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
Unsure on how the pitch will play out during the final, Rohit expects it to be on the slower side.
The skipper also asserted that toss won’t be a major factor in the summit clash as dew might not come into play.
“There was no grass on that wicket but this has a bit of grass on it. The wicket from India vs Pakistan was a lot drier. I still haven’t looked at the wicket today. But from my understanding, it’s going to be on a slower side. We’ll see the pitch tomorrow and assess. The temperature has dropped a bit as well. I don’t know how much of a factor the dew will be because in that Pakistan game there was a lot of dew during training but not on matchday. Same happened at Wankhede where there was dew one day before but not during the semis. I don’t think the toss will play a big role,” Rohit said on the eve of the final.
Rohit’s explosive batting has unsettled opponents during India’s 10-match winning streak but the skipper said he would rein himself in if the team needs a different approach in the final against five-time champions Australia.
Rohit has scored 550 runs in the tournament – including 354 in the first 10 overs of matches – but the powerful right-hander has shown he can drop anchor too, as he did in his 101-ball 87 against England after India slipped to 40-3 inside 12 overs.
“Before the start of the World Cup, I wanted to play in a certain manner. I had no idea if it’s going to come off… what if it doesn’t? I had plans for both,” Rohit said.
“For me what’s important is because I start the innings, there’s a bit of freedom to go and express myself. But in that game against England I had to change my game a bit once we lost a few wickets. I’m prepared to do that as well.
“That’s what the experienced player needs to do. You can’t just think you have to play one way. You have to adapt quickly knowing the situations that are there in front of you. I’m prepared to do whatever I feel is right for the team.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
