IND vs AUS, WTC Final 2023: Rohit Sharma Opens Up On Challenges Of Batting In English Conditions

Ahead of IND vs AUS WTC Final, Rohit Sharma spoke about challenges a batter faces while batting in English conditions.

Rohit feels knowing scoring pattern of former players, who have had success at the Oval, won't be a bad idea.

Source : PTI

Team India will square off against Australia in the summit clash of World Test Championship (WTC 2023 Final) at the Kennington Oval, starting from June 7 (Wednesday). Rohit’s poor form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League is definitely a big concern for India ahead of IND vs AUS WTC Final. The Indian skipper struggled miserably in the T20 tournament, scoring mere 332 runs in 16 games at a poor batting average of 20.75. Also, it will be highly challenging for Rohit to switch from T20 to Test mode. In the past 10 years, Rohit has reached final of an ICC tournament a total of four times and all these times he has struggled for runs.

Rohit Sharma scored only 9 runs in 14 balls in the final match of the Champions Trophy in 2013. After this, he was dismissed for 29 runs off 26 balls in the T20 World Cup final in 2014. Then in the year 2017, he got out on zero after facing three balls in the final match of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan. In previous edition of WTC Final, which was played between India and New Zealand, Rohit made 34 runs in first innings and 30 runs in second innings.

In a recent ICC event ahead of IND vs AUS WTC Final, Rohit Sharma spoke about challenges a batter faces while batting in English conditions. Rohit feels that there is no substitute for hard grind on English tracks.

"Look, I think, in England in general, it's pretty challenging conditions for batters. As long as you are prepared to have a good grind, you can have success," Rohit said during an ICC event 'Afternoon With Test Legends' on Sunday.

Rohit spoke about his personal experience while seated alongside Pat Cummins, Ross Taylor and Ian Bell.

"One thing I realised in 2021, you are never in (set) and the weather keeps changing. You need to keep concentrating for longer periods of time and you will get that intuition when it's time to take on the bowlers. More importantly you need to be out there and you have got to understand what your strengths are," the skipper said.

Rohit feels knowing scoring pattern of former players, who have had success at the Oval, won't be a bad idea.

"I am not going to try and emulate them (successful players) but it would be a bit nice to know their pattern of scoring. What I have found out at Oval is that the square boundaries are pretty quick." Switching formats for over a decade now, Rohit knows it's hard but somehow enjoys that challenge, and his ability to tweak his technique as per requirements.

"That (change of formats) certainly has been the challenging factor. You know you play multi-format. Mentally you have to be very adaptable and tweak your technique. You need to be talking to yourself and get mentally ready.

"A lot of our younger guys haven't done that. A lot of us are doing it for many years and bringing out best performances," the captain said.

For five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winner Rohit Sharma, Test cricket remains the ultimate format.

"It keeps challenging you. You want to be in these situations. You look forward and as a person, it brings the best out of you. In last 3-4 years in Test cricket, we have had good success. Now it is about crossing that final hurdle and giving that confidence to youngsters so that they can play in the way they want to play," he concluded. 

(With PTI Inputs)