"How I Want To Play...": Rohit Sharma's 'High Risk' Revelation Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023

29.08.2023 - 12:29 sports.ndtv.com

Rohit Sharma traded caution with aggression to add a different dimension to his batting and the Indian skipper is happy with the results even if it means not getting those daddy hundreds.

At the end of the 2019 World Cup, Rohit had scored 27 hundreds but in the last four years he could add only three more centuries to his tally.

The captain largely believes that this is because of the high-risk game he has adopted. "I wanted to take more risks, which is why my numbers are slightly different now," Rohit told PTI during an exclusive interview. "My (ODI) strike-rate (during this period) has increased but the average has dipped a bit.

This is exactly what our batting coach (Vikram Rathour) was telling me, ‘You have scored big runs because of the way you batted all these years and in the last few years, it (big runs) has not happened because you are taking risk," the skipper added.

cricket India Cricket Team Asia Cup 2023 cup Rohit Sharma Australia India Sri Lanka

The Indian cricket team, despite its Super 4 entry in the Asia Cup with a win over Nepal on Monday, had a lot to ponder upon. India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first, but Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh got quick runs with help from the Indian fielders, who dropped three catches in the first five overs. Shreyas Iyer dropped a regulation catch at slip, Virat Kohli spilled a sitter at short cover and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan let the ball through his gloves.

India's 2023 World Cup Squad: "Except Maybe One Or Two...": Rohit Sharma's Big Statement Ahead Of Major Announcement

The Indian cricket team's Cricket World Cup squad is going to be announced on Tuesday. While the team is currently in action in Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup, all eyes will be on this major announcement. The Indian cricket team hasn't won any ICC trophy since 2013 and the ODI World Cup 2023 at home is their biggest chance to end that drought. Ahead of the World Cup squad, India played against Nepal. Although they won comfortably, Rohit Sharma said that they needed to improve the fielding.

Watch: Rohit Sharma Left Dumbstruck After India's Poor Fielding Efforts Against Nepal In Asia Cup 2023

It was a horrible day for the Indian cricket team on the field as three catches were dropped within the first 5 overs against Nepal in the Asia Cup 2023 on Monday. In the very first over of the innings, Shreyas Iyer dropped a straight forward chance as Kushal Bhurtel edged a delivery from Mohammed Shami towards the slips. Just one ball later, it was Virat Kohli at cover point who was guilty of dropping an absolute sitter off Mohammed Siraj. Couple of overs later, Bhurtel once again edged a delivery from Shami and it looked like Ishan Kishan will have no difficulties in completing the catch. However, it went horribly wrong as the ball went right through his gloves leaving skipper Rohit Sharma in complete disbelief. Then Shardul Thakur missed an easy opportunity to stop a boundary the latter overs.

India vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri Critical Of Rohit Sharma And Co.'s 'Flat Body Language' vs Nepal

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team entered the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023 by defeating Nepal in a rain-hit Group A match on Monday. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stayed unbeaten till the end as India registered a 10-wicket (DLS) win chasing a 231-run target. However, not all was smooth for the Indian cricket team. After Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first, Indian fielders were lax on the field. They dropped three chances before getting the house in order. Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri did not like India's 'body language' at the start of the match.

Asia Cup 2023: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma Shine As India Beat Nepal To Seal Super 4 Berth

India hit the top gear through Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who made polished unbeaten fifties, to post a 10-wicket win over Nepal that also ensured them an Asia Cup Super Four berth on Monday. Amidst frequent rain interruptions, Nepal posted an impressive 230 after being asked to bat first. India, required to score 145 from 23 overs as per DLS calculations, went past the line as Rohit (74 not out off 59 balls) and Gill (67 not out off 62 balls) gave power to their chase. Hence, India finished their Group A engagements with three points, while Pakistan had already entered the Super Four having logged three points. Nepal bowed out of the Asia Cup without any points. But they had some special moments in the match both with ball and bat. Nepal pacers KC Karan and Sompal Kami worked up some good pace to trouble Indian openers Rohit and Gill early on.

India vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023 Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch Live Telecast?

Asia Cup 2023 Live Streaming:Team India will be squaring off against Nepal in the Asia Cup 2023 match on Monday in Pallekele. Coming off a washout, India would hope they only have greenhorns Nepal to tackle and not rain as the heavyweights eye a berth in the Super Four of the Asia Cup. From Group A, Pakistan have already qualified to the Super Four with 3 points, and India have one point from the washed-out game against their arch-rivals on Saturday. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be missing out on the services of their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has flown back to Mumbai as his wife gave birth to a baby boy.