Rohit Sharma is more of a conventional batsman, rarely attempting to play unorthodox or innovative shots in any format of the game.
While a number of batsmen have raised the risk quotient in the Pepsi-IPL-8, Rohit — choosing to bat at No. 4 — believes in playing orthodox strokes.
“I am like that, I like to play straight and I back my instincts. When I am confident of playing a big shot straight, I don’t have to look at playing innovative shots. Having said that Twenty20 has been played for many years now and batsmen have developed the habit of playing innovative shots,” he said at the launch of Adidas’s new training apparel at a mall here on Monday.
While former Sunil Gavaskar has been persistent in his view that Rohit should open the innings, the Mumbai captain (244 runs) feels he has to take into account the strength of his team’s middle-order.
In defence of his decision to bat at No. 4, Rohit said: “Balance and combination is very important, our middle-order is weak and Corey Anderson has been ruled out because of injury.”
Rohit also touched upon the aspect of training. “The fitness and training culture has changed in India. It’s not what it was 10 or 15 years ago. Maintaining fitness is very critical for a sportsperson looking for a long career. Well, when I go to bat at nets, I do everything with purpose.”
MI is enjoying a long break after its second win in seven games; it will play Rajasthan Royals on May 1.
“The bowlers did a great job against Sunrisers and we have to sustain the momentum. Every match counts now, we just cannot look far too ahead. It’s match-by-match. Last year we made a poor start and qualified for the play-offs. But I don’t want this to happen every year, we have a quality side though.”
The stylish batsman expressed happiness at the BCCI recommending him for the Arjuna Award. When a young fan at the Adidas shop asked him about the innings he would pick as his best so far, Rohit, without pausing to consider, said: “264 (against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens)”.
