With India set to play across nine venues throughout the country in the round-robin stage of the ODI World Cup, skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday admitted that the biggest challenge in front of his side would be to play in different conditions.
India kicked off their 2023 World Cup campaign with a comfortable six-wicket win over Australia in Chennai but Rohit Sharma and co. did have initial hiccups in the 200 on a bowling-friendly Chepauk track after they were reduced to 2 for 3 inside two overs.
As KL Rahul (97 not out)and Virat Kohli (85) put up an impressive show to guide India to a win in their opener, Rohit had a huge sigh of relief.
“That will be the biggest challenge moving forward because we will play in different conditions. (We) might have to change combinations too and as a team we are prepared to do that,” said Rohit during the post-match presentation.
Rohit was particularly pleased with the team’s fielding.
“Good feeling to come out on top. Magnificent, especially the fielding. The fielding was something we really put our effort on. It was a great effort.
“In conditions like this it can be tough sometimes. We knew there would be assistance for everyone. Seamers got reverse, spinners bowled in nice areas. All in all a great effort,” he said.
Rohit was one of the three top-order India batters to get out for a duck, and the skipper admitted to being nervous with the home team reeling at 2/3 in the second over.
“Yes I was (nervous) to be honest. You don’t want to start like that when chasing a target. Credit to Australia, but some loose shots there as well. But that happens, you want to get off the mark and score quickly in the powerplay.
“But hats off to Virat and KL – the way they stuck out there to create a match-winning partnership,” Rohit said.
