Rohit Sharma Wants Opener's Slot Back, Says he is Happy to Fight for it
With injures forcing him out of action, Rohit Sharma faces stiff competition from his Mumbai teammate Ajinkya Rahane for the opener's slot in the national ODI side.
Rohit Sharma, whose multiple injuries forced him out of the recently-concluded Champions League Twenty20 and the ongoing home series against the West Indies, has set his sights on reclaiming his opening spot in One-Day Internationals. (Also read: Ishant replaces Mohit Sharma for India vs West Indies ODIs)
In the absence of Rohit, Ajinkya Rahane has adjusted well at the top of the order and has impressed India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with consistent performances. Even though Rahane struck a match-winning century against England at Lord's in July as a middle-order batsman, Dhoni is keen that he bats at the top. India are currently opening with Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan in the ODI series against the West Indies.
Rohit, however, believes his game has improved while playing at the top and is happy to fight for his place. (Also read: Raina's back-to-back ducks and Jadeja's marathon)
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"As an opener, you have to be a little more cautious with the two new balls moving around. The ball does quite a bit. While opening, you have to be extra focused. Being cautious has helped my batting. It's not that when you bat in the middle order, there is no challenge or you have to be a little less cautious, but opening has helped get the best out of me," Rohit told DNA.
"Competition will always be good for the game. Guys will try harder and produce good results," he added.
Sidelined by injuries to his finger and shoulder, Rohit acknowledged the fact that his priority at the moment was to regain fitness and work his way back onto the field.
"Personally, I am not even thinking (about competition) as I have a lot of other things to do like get fit first and work my way back onto the field."
Despite Rohit's average of 43.20 in 39 innings as an opener being superior to his average of 31.72 in 79 innings in other batting positions, the Mumbai batsman will have his task cut out to get his spot back.
Former Indian skipper and NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar also pointed out that Rohit's spot at the top is not a certainty and he will need to score a lot of runs in the domestic circuit to make his way back.
As for Rahane, the opening slot doesn't come as a new role. The 25-year-old Mumbaikar spent majority of his domestic career at the top of the order and has proven himself as an effective and consistent opener for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.