Focus Was On Winning And Do My Best, Says Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma was declared ‘man of the match’ for his remarkable batting as team India won the first Test against South Africa in Visakhapatnam by 203 runs

The call to open the batting for India in Test series came at the right time for opener Rohit Sharma who made the entire Test match ‘one man show’ with his phenomenal batting performance. The swashbuckling Rohit’s class has been stamped in his maiden appearance itself as he scored centuries in both innings of the match. Rohit Sharma was declared ‘man of the match’ for his remarkable batting as team India won the first Test against South Africa in Visakhapatnam by 203 runs. "Just wanted to go out there and do what I do best. Great opportunity for me at the top. Thankful for the chance, considering I've never done that before. Focus was on winning the Test match and I think we pretty much did everything right today," he said in the post match presentation ceremony. "Couple of years ago it was communicated to me that I might open someday. Even in nets whenever I was not playing Tests I used to practice with the new red ball.

"No matter what ball you play, whether it's red ball or white ball. When you are starting the innings you've got to be careful. Focus on basics -- leaving ball outside off, playing close to the body," he said. Rohit smashed record 13 sixes across the two innings, which is the most by a player in a Test match. "My job here is to play in a certain manner, that's what they expect me. And I'm going to try to do that. It's my game to mix caution with aggression. Everything depends on the situation you're batting in," he said. "There are lot of things in Tests which I'm not aware of in terms of records. Focus was to have fun and put team in a good position. Had to try and play some shots. May come off and may not come off. Bowlers are pretty smart these days. I back myself and I guess fortune favours the brave," he said. India now lead the three-match series 1-0. The second Test will be played in Pune and starts on October 10.