Rohit enjoying his 'best phase in international cricket'

[BleedBlue]

Rohit Sharma, the India batsman, has said he is relishing opening the batting for India in one-day cricket. The consistent run he had all through the Champions Trophy and the tri-series in West Indies, he said, was his most satisfying phase in international cricket so far. "I am enjoying my new role as an opener. That I have been successful and my contribution has helped the team's cause makes it even more satisfying," Rohit told PTI in an interview. "From the point of view of consistency, this has certainly been my best phase as an international cricketer." Rohit, who usually bats in the middle order, was bumped up to open in the last two ODIs of the home series against England in January, after the out-of-form Virender Sehwag was dropped and Ajinkya Rahane failed to grab his chance. He began with 83 off 93 balls in Mohali, and has opened in all India's ODIs since, averaging 43.72 in 12 games. In the West Indies, he produced scores of 60, 5, 46, 48* and 58 in difficult batting conditions. And the move seems to be working for India too, as they have won nine of those 12 games and all three tournaments. The ODI opener's role has changed with the introduction of the rule by which two new balls are used, Rohit said, but he has the technique to succeed. "The role with two new balls coming into play is different. It's no longer going after the bowling from the word go. There are a few shots that should be avoided during the initial overs. "But I was always confident about my technique. The opener's job is specialised one, but I always knew that I could hold my own if I am given an opportunity at the top of the order. The innings of 83 against England wasn't the best but proved to be a morale booster for me." India's next one-day series is against Zimbabwe, beginning July 24.

[I6MTW]

If this is his best phase, I would hate to see his worst.

[BleedBlue]

If this is his best phase' date=' I would hate to see his worst.[/quote'] Didnt you watch the india vs sl series last year:giggle:

[rkt.india]

If this is his best phase' date=' I would hate to see his worst.[/quote'] He top scored for India in the series on difficult pitches, just 5 runs behind Tharanga overall who scored most of his runs in just one innings of 174. Second highest scorer for India was Kohli with 148 runs and most of his runs came in just one innings of 102. Rohit was consistent with just one failure out of 5 innings.

[Haarkarjeetgaye]

he is setting the bat too low for himself:giggle:

[skindia]

Selfish batting give thanks to bhuvi and jaddu

[Sean Bradley]

He better find his best phase, he has been given hell of allot of chances to stay in the national team, now its time he plays, no more free rides :protest:

[jj_28]

I dont get the Rohit hate at all, he's been probably our most consistent batsmen. Its a great start lets hope he builds on it.

[velu]

His best is at best an average comeback.. Again I would pick an opener who averages 44 Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[saneindian]

After 10 matches in the two away series (CT and Tri series), Indian batsmen: Dhawan - 498 runs @55 Rohit - 394 runs @44 Kohli - 320 runs@40 DK - 168 runs@24 Jaddu - 151 runs@50 Raina - 140 @23 Dhoni - 99 runs@33 Another 5 ODIs vs Zim next, expect the top 3 to zoom ahead of rest of the pack. Rohit hit 2 100s there in 2010 playing in the middle order, hope he does the same this time too (and the results are different )

[Debutant]

He is playing well after being promoted to open. He is consistently giving India good, solid starts. His strike rate is bit low but it is okay as he is partnered by Dhawan, who is playing very aggressively. Hope he continues to play well in future.

[G_B_]

Rohit's strike rate worries me. No doubt the pitches in WI were bowler friendly. but he really needs to up his strike rate

[IKnowU]

Rohit's strike rate worries me. No doubt the pitches in WI were bowler friendly. but he really needs to up his strike rate

As a opener that is least important, not like games have been high scoring recently

[b555]

If this is his best phase' date=' I would hate to see his worst.[/quote'] what was going on till now? :D

[CSK Fan]

If this is his best phase' date=' I would hate to see his worst.[/quote'] Make no mistakes, seeing how difficult it was to bat in the first 15 overs in WI and how other teams lost wickets in bucket-loads, Rohit's innings were gems. Even Dhawan failed in the last series

[rkt.india]

Make no mistakes' date=' seeing how difficult it was to bat in the first 15 overs in WI and how other teams lost wickets in bucket-loads, Rohit's innings were gems. Even Dhawan failed in the last series[/quote'] This.

[omkarkiran]

All The Best Rohit... I wish.. he could settle down.. make his place permanent in the team..

[I6MTW]

In Zimbabwe, pitches are batsmen friendly. So he cannot play slowly there.

[Cricashfaq]

He can play much better!!

[G_B_]

My only worry is on pitches which are not that bowling friendly that he will just keep playing in one mode.