Manish26
8th July 2008, 18:43
Building on the learning curve
Rohit Sharma has an uncomplicated technique, an assured defence, a range of strokes and the rare gift of being able to play the ball late. What remains unproven though is his ability to construct a long innings
Nagraj Gollapudi
July 8, 2008
Watch him go places: Rohit Sharma bats under the watchful eye of Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning coach © AFP
Rohit Sharma has taken his elevation to India's Test squad with the composure and that has been the feature of his batting. He didn't expect the call so early, he says, but he isn't unprepared for the challenge. In fact, he was told to stay ready by none other than Gary Kirsten, the India coach.
"He [Kirsten] was the first to tell me to stay ready". Rohit said, "He believes I can do well in all formats of the game and has shown a lot of confidence in me." And Kirsten wasn't alone. Some senior players had hinted to him during the Asia Cup that he might get picked and suggested he remain focused.
Rohit has got what it takes to build a career in the longer form of the game. He has an uncomplicated technique, an assured defence, a range of strokes and the rare gift of being able to play the ball late. What remains unproven though is his ability to construct a long innings.
After his success in the Twenty20 World Cup last year which proved to be his baptism by fire, he struggled during the domestic season with a highest score of 62 in five Ranji games. At times when Mumbai needed him to stay put he fell to indifferent shots and a fragile mindset. Today he admits he could've done more for Mumbai. "It was not a great domestic season for me where I was not converting scores. I've become more mature, things would be different and the result will be more different in future."
His strength of character was on display in the CB Series finals against Australia. In the first final, he scored 66 and shared a 123-run match-winning partnership with Sachin Tendulkar. He ended fourth on India's leading run-scorers list and ninth overall. Rohit feels he was successful in Australia because he got a chance to bat up the order. "I batted up the order even ahead of Yuvi [Yuvraj Singh]. It was a huge responsibility but the faith the captain showed in me I had to prove him correct."
Today the national selectors have preferred Rohit to Yuvraj and to Suresh Raina, who averaged 74.40 from six matches in the Asia Cup. "Rohit has a better technique to deal with all sorts of bowling while Raina is still susceptible to the short ball," a national selector said.
The maturity he gained in Australia kept him Rohit in good stead during the IPL where he became a dependable batsman for the Deccan Chargers. He focused more on converting the starts and playing maturely while more experienced hands - Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi and Scott Styris - around him failed. But he also learnt from these players. "There were many seniors in the Hyderabad team who told me how to approach an innings, how to build an innings in all forms of the game."
The most important tip came from the Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist. "He [Gilchrist] said one should never give away the wicket if one is good form and he told me to maintain my form even if I failed in the odd game because when you are in form you can change the game."
Rohit knows it is easier said than done to maintain a consistent form. But fortunately adaptability is one of his strengths and those who know him vouch for that. "He has the right balance between his ability to strike the ball cleanly and having a good temperament," said Praveen Amre, the Mumbai coach. "He has proved in the shorter forms of the game and even in first-class cricket. He has been elevating himself step by step."
Amre felt the Test call-up was an "important" step for Rohit and it will be the best learning process of his career. Rohit also understands that he will mostly be an understudy on the Sri Lanka tour, but he still has certain goals. "Obviously I am not expecting to play in the team but being around senior players will help me in my experience, how they prepare, how they play, how they approach a Test. So I will be definitely learning many things even if I don't get to play."
If there is one goal it would be "to build on my learning curve". And if he does get an opportunity then Sharma would like to show to everyone "what I have in me."
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/mag...ory/360415.html
Rohit Sharma has an uncomplicated technique, an assured defence, a range of strokes and the rare gift of being able to play the ball late. What remains unproven though is his ability to construct a long innings
Nagraj Gollapudi
July 8, 2008
Watch him go places: Rohit Sharma bats under the watchful eye of Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning coach © AFP
Rohit Sharma has taken his elevation to India's Test squad with the composure and that has been the feature of his batting. He didn't expect the call so early, he says, but he isn't unprepared for the challenge. In fact, he was told to stay ready by none other than Gary Kirsten, the India coach.
"He [Kirsten] was the first to tell me to stay ready". Rohit said, "He believes I can do well in all formats of the game and has shown a lot of confidence in me." And Kirsten wasn't alone. Some senior players had hinted to him during the Asia Cup that he might get picked and suggested he remain focused.
Rohit has got what it takes to build a career in the longer form of the game. He has an uncomplicated technique, an assured defence, a range of strokes and the rare gift of being able to play the ball late. What remains unproven though is his ability to construct a long innings.
After his success in the Twenty20 World Cup last year which proved to be his baptism by fire, he struggled during the domestic season with a highest score of 62 in five Ranji games. At times when Mumbai needed him to stay put he fell to indifferent shots and a fragile mindset. Today he admits he could've done more for Mumbai. "It was not a great domestic season for me where I was not converting scores. I've become more mature, things would be different and the result will be more different in future."
His strength of character was on display in the CB Series finals against Australia. In the first final, he scored 66 and shared a 123-run match-winning partnership with Sachin Tendulkar. He ended fourth on India's leading run-scorers list and ninth overall. Rohit feels he was successful in Australia because he got a chance to bat up the order. "I batted up the order even ahead of Yuvi [Yuvraj Singh]. It was a huge responsibility but the faith the captain showed in me I had to prove him correct."
Today the national selectors have preferred Rohit to Yuvraj and to Suresh Raina, who averaged 74.40 from six matches in the Asia Cup. "Rohit has a better technique to deal with all sorts of bowling while Raina is still susceptible to the short ball," a national selector said.
The maturity he gained in Australia kept him Rohit in good stead during the IPL where he became a dependable batsman for the Deccan Chargers. He focused more on converting the starts and playing maturely while more experienced hands - Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi and Scott Styris - around him failed. But he also learnt from these players. "There were many seniors in the Hyderabad team who told me how to approach an innings, how to build an innings in all forms of the game."
The most important tip came from the Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist. "He [Gilchrist] said one should never give away the wicket if one is good form and he told me to maintain my form even if I failed in the odd game because when you are in form you can change the game."
Rohit knows it is easier said than done to maintain a consistent form. But fortunately adaptability is one of his strengths and those who know him vouch for that. "He has the right balance between his ability to strike the ball cleanly and having a good temperament," said Praveen Amre, the Mumbai coach. "He has proved in the shorter forms of the game and even in first-class cricket. He has been elevating himself step by step."
Amre felt the Test call-up was an "important" step for Rohit and it will be the best learning process of his career. Rohit also understands that he will mostly be an understudy on the Sri Lanka tour, but he still has certain goals. "Obviously I am not expecting to play in the team but being around senior players will help me in my experience, how they prepare, how they play, how they approach a Test. So I will be definitely learning many things even if I don't get to play."
If there is one goal it would be "to build on my learning curve". And if he does get an opportunity then Sharma would like to show to everyone "what I have in me."
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/mag...ory/360415.html