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India vs South Africa, Rohit Sharma Press Conference Highlights: "Don't Look To..." - India Skipper Shares Batting Mantra For South African Pitches
Rohit Sharma Press Conference Highlights: India skipper Rohit Sharma addressed the media on the eve of the first Test against South Africa.
India vs South Africa Test Series: Rohit Sharma Press Conference Highlights© BCCI/Sportzpics
Rohit Sharma Press Conference Highlights: For the first time since the heartbreak in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final, India skipper Rohit Sharma addressed the media. The press conference took place on the eve of the first Test against South Africa. Rohit said that Mohammed Shami, who has been ruled out of the series, will be a big miss. The Indian captain, however, hinted that one of the fast bowlers between Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna will be included in the final XI for the first Test with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj completing the pace attack. Rohit also said that the Indian spinners know what their role would be in South African pitches.
Rohit Sharma Press Conference Highlights From Centurion:
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- 16:26 (IST)Rohit PC Live: India skipper leaves reporters in splits!While speaking about what would it mean for the Indian cricket team if it wins the Test series in South Africa, Rohit Sharma said it would be a "good thing" before coming out with an honest opinion. "Itna mehnat kiya hai toh kuch toh kitna banta hai (Since we have worked so hard, we derserve this at least)," said Rohit. Watch it HERE
- 16:10 (IST)Rohit Sharma PC Live: Team India prepared for SA challenge"In terms of prep also, we came here a week back. We had a decent time preparing for the Test match as well now it is just about how individuals want to take up that role. They are completely free on how they want to go about getting the job done for the team."
- 15:52 (IST)Rohit PC Live: 'If India beat SA in series, it will be a big thing'"We have never won a series here and it'll be a big thing if we do it here. I don't know whether it'll be able to take away the pain of World Cup defeat. If we are able to achieve it then it'll be a good thing."
- 15:48 (IST)Rohit Sharma PC Live: A toss up between Mukesh and Krishna!Rohit Sharma confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are going to play the first Test but the team might go with one of the pacers between Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna. The skipper also said that 75 per cent of the team is locked and the rest will be done in the team meeting.
- 15:45 (IST)Press Conference Live: On KL Rahul keeping wickets in SA, Rohit said..."I felt the way he kept in the World Cup, he worked really hard and was impressive. It gives us the option to play a solid batter in the middle order. He does most of things right when he bats in the middle order in ODIs. He knows the situation and how to bat. I am not sure how long he wants to keep but as long as he does, he'll do well."
- 15:42 (IST)Rohit Sharma PC Live: India skipper opens up on WC final loss!"The way we played in the World Cup, you expect to go all the way. We worked hard for the cup. There are certain things we didn't do well in the final. It is hard after a loss like that. But you got to find a way to move on and look forward. We got a lot of encouragement from the outside world. That motivated me personally. As a batter, I am batting as well I could. Whatever is in front of me, I'll look forward to it."
- 15:40 (IST)
- 15:39 (IST)Rohit Sharma PC Live: India skipper's honest admission"That's a challenge. When we went to Australia, England, South Africa it was a challenge. For them also, who are coming for the first time, it'll be challenge. The bowlers dominate here a lot. The lateral movement the seamers get. The wickets get difficult later on as the cracks open and invariable bounce. It'll be nice for all of us to put our hands up for the challenge," said Rohit Sharma.
- 15:32 (IST)Rohit Sharma PC Live: "Shami will be a big miss""Very important Test series. We have never won a series here. It's a big opportunity for us. We came close the last two times. That gives us a lot of excitement and encouragement to do our best. Our seamers have done well in Australia, England and South Africa. The seamers have actually pull their weight in. Shami will be a big miss."
- 15:13 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Pitch speculationAccording to a PTI report, at Supersport Park, it normally takes three and half to four days to achieve results and if the toss happens on the second day, after a washout on opening day, batting first will surely be a very difficult proposition.
- 15:07 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Spinner conundrumOne of the biggest challenges ahead of India in the first Test will be the choice of spinners. With Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja both in the ranks, Rohit Sharma may be tempted to play them both. But the overcast conditions in Centurion can end up making it good for the pacers and in that case, the inclusion of Shardul Thakur may end up providing a good bowling option as well as more depth in the batting line-up.
- 15:00 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Yashasvi Jaiswal opportunitySunil Gavaskar backed youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the batting with Rohit Sharma and he believed that Shubman Gill can come to bat at No. 3. It will be a big opportunity for the left-hander to open the batting against a tough pace attack in South Africa and if he can end up playing a good innings, it can do wonders for his team and his chances of making his spot permanent.
- 14:53 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: KL Rahul decisionIndian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid said that KL Rahul will be keeping the wickets in the first Test against South Africa. Considering the difference between South African and Indian conditions, a tough challenge for him as well. The decision to not go with a specialist wicket-keeper allows India to play a stronger batting line-up but will it result in a possibly weaker fielding performance?
- 14:48 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Young pace attackJasprit Bumrah will be spearheading the Indian cricket team pace attack but the duo of Mukesh Sharma and Mohammed Siraj will have their work cut out in absence of Mohammed Shami. A new challenge for them and if Shardul Thakur gets a chance, it will be a huge opportunity for him to prove his mettle.
- 14:35 (IST)
- 14:25 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Dravid on young batters"We encourage the players to play (in a manner) they feel most comfortable. In the end they are judged by the results they produce. They know that," Dravid said."We want to encourage them in the way they play but also keeping the conditions in mind and certain, sort of tactical thing they have to adopt when they play in South Africa."The nature of ball, how it behaves over 80 overs, shots that they play early and later on. I think it's about finding balance between having cricket smarts to read the game and understand the situation, and of course allowing to express yourself."Hopefully, they make smart decisions," the coach had said on Christmas eve.
- 14:16 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Pace challengeThe Indian cricket team batters will be up against a quality bowling attack comprising Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee. With South African pitches providing way more pace and bounce than those back home, it will be interesting to see how Rohit Sharma and co decide to approach the situation.
- 14:11 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: South Africa squadTemba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Tristan Stubbs (wk), Nandre Burger, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, David Bedingham.
- 14:01 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Indian cricket team squadRohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran (2nd Test).
- 13:54 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Big test for RohitMohammed Azharuddin (1992), Sachin Tendulkar (1996), Sourav Ganguly (2001), Rahul Dravid (2006-07), MS Dhoni (2010-11 and 2013-14) and Virat Kohli (2018-19 and 2021-22) have all tried but the series win seem to elude India. Will Rohit Sharma finally break the curse?
- 13:46 (IST)Rohit Sharma Press Conference Live: Final frontierIndia have never won a Test series in South Africa till now. It is the only country where India have never won a series and it will certainly be a mental pressure for the side. With the Cricket World Cup 2023 heartbreak behind them, this will be the perfect chance for India to bounce back.
- 13:41 (IST)
Topics mentioned in this article
India Cricket Team
South Africa Cricket Team
Rohit Sharma
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