"Pakistan have been great lately and have played very good cricket" : Rohit Sharma

[MenInG]

Team India's stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma addressed the media on Friday alongside the captains from other participating nations - Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong - ahead of the Asia Cup 2018 in the United Arab Emirates. It has been 12 years since India last played in the UAE and Rohit Sharma said that his unit is very excited to be back and is ready for the challenges ahead.

"We are very happy to be back here. Off late we have played some great cricket and I hope this turns out to be a great learning opportunity ahead of the World Cup," Rohit Sharma said at the press conference.


India will face arch-rivals Pakistan after a gap of 15 months, when asked about the most-awaited clash on September 19, Rohit said that his team is very excited about facing Pakistan after the ICC Champions Trophy final in June 2017.

"I am sure everyone is looking forward to it, but we will just focus on the match at hand.

"It is always exciting to play Pakistan, they have been great lately and have played very good cricket," he added.

Asked what makes the defending champions the favourites to win the tournament, Rohit said that every team will have to up their game as it is not going to be easy for anyone as all the teams will try to put their best foot forward.

"Every team will be eyeing the title and every team has its own strengths. It is going to be a competitive tournament," Rohit said.

"First time I am captaining a full tour and I am very excited," he added.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said that it a great opportunity for all the participating teams and everyone will try to give their best to entertain the fans.

The 2018 edition of Asia Cup will get underway with a clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Saturday.

India, who are placed in Group A, will play their first game against Hong Kong on September 18 before facing Pakistan the following day.

https://sports.ndtv.com/asia-cup-20...o-pakistan-clash-1916691?pfrom=home-sshowcase

 

[unitedkush]

Good to see him being humble for once, has a habit of talking **** every now and then.

Now only if he could learn from his batting mistakes and not be trapped plumb in 1st over vs Amir.

 

[troodon]

Good to see him being humble for once, has a habit of talking **** every now and then.

Now only if he could learn from his batting mistakes and not be trapped plumb in 1st over vs Amir.

Not just Amir.

Any left arm bowler who can swing the ball into his pads with the new ball.

Rohit was a walking wicket against Trent Boult too.

 

[Kroll]

Asia Cup 2018 Gives Us A Chance to Get Combination Right Before World Cup: Rohit Sharma

Dubai: The World Cup is still eight months away but India skipper Rohit Sharma feels that the six-nation Asia Cup starting Saturday will give his side a chance to work towards a "perfect combination" going into next year's mega event.

India are still searching for a perfect middle order combination in the one-dayers even as they have a settled top three batsmen in stand-in skipper himself, Shikhar Dhawan and regular captain Virat Kohli.

Asked if the Asia Cup will be a build up to next year's World Cup in England, Rohit said: "In a way, you can say that. Every team wants to go to the World Cup in a good frame of mind. But we shouldn't be looking too far ahead. Obviously the Asia Cup gives every team an opportunity to get the combination right before the World Cup."

However, during the captains' press meet, the talented Mumbaikar said that while the World Cup will be at the back of his mind, it is better to take one game at a time.

"I won't understand how Angie (Angelo Mathews), Sarfraz (Ahmed) or Mashrafe (Mortaza) are looking at it and what their strengths and weaknesses are. But as the tournament progresses, we will understand what teams are doing.

"The World Cup is too far ahead. We will play a lot of games before that. A lot of players will get an opportunity to stake claim for a berth in that World Cup squad. It's a great opportunity to try for that perfect combination," said Rohit.

India begin their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong on September 18 before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan the next day.

While India versus Pakistan games are of primary interest, Rohit said it's not just about one match.

"Pakistan have played some great cricket of late and we are looking forward to that clash. However, by no means I am saying that focus should be on one game as all the games that are going to be played over here will be quite competitive," he said.

"The focus should be on the whole tournament because every nation is eyeing that title. Also for the first time, I am captaining in a full tournament and it's exciting for me personally."

While he played for Mumbai Indians during the first phase of IPL-1, Rohit last played in Dubai in a representative tournament for India A, way back in 2006.

"I am very happy to be back here. I didn't actually realise that we haven't played here for the past 12 years."

Asked about the weather, Rohit admitted that it's not really pleasant and also felt that the group that was in England for the Test series needed the break to rejuvenate themselves.

"It's not pleasant for sure. For the guys who were in England, it was a hectic tour and it is only fair that they go home and spend some time with their families and then come here. It is not easy but then weather is going to be same for all the teams. So we have to just focus on playing good cricket. That's all," he signed off.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...ht-before-world-cup-rohit-sharma-1877939.html

 

[MenInG]

Nice of Rohit to say this but he will know that Pakistan openers are suspect and once the flood gates open anything can happen.

 

[MenInG]

Rohit Sharma is all set to lead India for the first time in a major international tournament at the Asia Cup 2018, and on the eve of the match, he said he was “a bit nervous, but very excited”.

With Virat Kohli rested for the tournament, Sharma will call the shots over the next week-and-a-bit in the United Arab Emirates.

He’s donned this role before, though, and to considerable success: He led India to the Nidahas Trophy title against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in March, and 2-1 and 3-0 victories in one-day internationals and Twenty20 Internationals against Sri Lanka in December.

Despite that, there are some nerves. “Captaincy is a big responsibility,” he told reporterss on the eve of India’s tournament-opener against Hong Kong. “I’ve done it before in a series, but this is a very big tournament for me. I’m quite excited. A bit nervous, obviously, but very excited.

“It’s an important tournament, and I’ve played with these boys quite a bit, so we understand each other. I’m looking forward to it.”

While Hong Kong represent a tricky challenge, Sharma was, unsurprisingly, asked of the subsequent clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. He said it was too soon to talk about that particular game, but was glad his team would get to suss the conditions on Tuesday, 18 September.

India have middle order concerns to address

“We’ve not played here. The last time a lot of the boys played here was during the IPL [Indian Premier League] in 2014,” said Sharma. “It’s been a long time since we played at this (Dubai International Cricket Stadium) particular venue. Tomorrow is a good chance to assess the pitch, the grounds, the dimensions – it’s important you understand all of that and take it into your game.”

India have some concerns to address, though. The middle-order isn’t settled – all of Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Suresh Raina and KL Rahul – have been tried out in recent times, and India are yet to settle on the best options.

With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 a little under eight months away, there’s a sense of urgency to get it right, and the Asia Cup will play a big role in that.

Everyone wants to be settled. Nobody likes being dropped and then brought back

“There are a lot of spots up for grabs – No.3, 4, 6. All these guys are eyeing that,” said Sharma. “We’ve got to see what the best combination can be for this particular series. We want to give chances to as many guys as possible, make sure that No.4 and No.6 spot is sealed.

“A lot of guys have played that position, and of course, going forward, we want everything to be settled. (The tournament) gives opportunities to guys to come play the cricket they like to play and seal the spot. I wouldn’t say it’s a concern.

“If you look at the future, of course, you want your team to be settled. Even the guys who are eyeing those spots, they want to be settled. Nobody likes being dropped and then brought back. We want everyone to feel safe and settled, so that they can play freely.”

Sharma also spoke highly of Khaleel Ahmed, the 20-year-old left-arm pacer from Rajasthan, who is in the squad after his maiden India call-up. In a tournament with plenty of left-arm pacemen, he gives India another dimension – but Sharma said he was more than just a back-up option.

“He’s a great variation to the squad, but he also generates quite a bit of pace. He’s young, quite talented and can swing the ball as well at the same time,” said Sharma. “I’m looking forward to him playing and doing well for the country.

“From whatever I’ve seen of him, he can get batsmen into trouble – I can surely say that. He’s got great skillset. It’s a matter of going out there and doing it. He’s not played any games, but again, he’s got all the tools required to play at the highest level.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/852314

 

[MenInG]

ROHIT SHARMA, INDIA CAPTAIN

On Conditions: “As a team a lot of the guys have come from England so the heat is going to be a challenge for them. For the rest of us we have been here for four days and we are now used to the conditions, but without a doubt it is going to be tough conditions out there. But as I said at the beginning we are treating every team as equal, we are not looking at the opposition, we are looking at what we want to do as a team and improve as a team. There are a lot of games coming up for us including the big World Cup, so it is important for us to focus as team on what we want to do as individuals rather than the opposition. We will focus on the game rather than the conditions.

On Captaincy: “This is a very big tournament for me and I am captaining the side, it is exciting, I am also a bit nervous. I have played with all these players for some time and we all understand each other well. This is important and I am looking forward to it.

On India-Pakistan: “Right now we are not focusing on Pakistan because tomorrow we are playing against Hong Kong tomorrow and we have to focus on that particular team. After that game we will focus on Pakistan’s strengths and weaknesses. We have not played here (UAE) for a long time some of the guys played here was during IPL in 2014. It has been a long time since we played at this venue, so tomorrow is a perfect chance for us to assess the conditions, wickets, dimensions of the ground. It is important that you understand all of that and take it into your game.”

ANSHUMAN RATH, HONG KONG CAPTAIN

“Hopefully we can adapt to the conditions, and you know India is another powerhouse, probably the best white ball team in the world. So we are going in with no pressure, with a smile on our face and to try and show the world what we can do.”

 

[shaaik]

Hope We Can Repeat This Against Pakistan - Rohit Sharma Lauds ‘Clinical Performance’

After India registered a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first match of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup in Dubai, Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised his side’s ‘clinical performance’.

Speaking in the post-match ceremony, Rohit said, “It was a clinical performance right from the start to restrict them (Bangladesh) to 170-odd. We always knew it was better batting under the lights. On this pitch, it is important to rotate the bowlers as batsmen get used to the bowlers quickly. The conditions were challenging but our bowling unit responded very well for us.”

Rohit, who remained unbeaten on 83 off 104 balls in India’s chase of 174 runs, praised the performance of his bowlers and hoped for a repeat against Pakistan. India will meet Pakistan for the second time in the tournament on Sunday, in the Super Four phase of the competition.

“Chahal and Kuldeep have been bowling really well. Jadeja played an ODI after very long time, and to come out and play an ODI like this is exceptional. Kuldeep and Chahal will have an odd off game. All the bowlers bowled according to the plan. When everything goes to plan, it looks easy. We will go back and recover and come back fresh against Pakistan and try to replicate this performance,” he said.

Making a return to the Indian ODI side after more than a year, Ravindra Jadeja was declared man-of-the match for his superb bowling figures of 10-0-29-4. His spell was instrumental in restricting Bangladesh to just 173 runs in 49 overs, which was chased down by the Indian batsmen in 36.2 overs for the loss of three wickets.

On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza reflected on his side’s batting performance, saying that the batsmen needed to take more responsibility. “If you look at the batting, we lost wickets from the start. Against Sri Lanka we lost wickets but had a middle-order partnership that did well,” he said.

“You have to back yourself, it was a decent wicket to bat on, but we couldn't make any partnership today. We could have made 250-260. It might have been a better track for batting later, but 260-270 would have made for a good match. You can't ask bowlers to defend 170 in a 50-over match, so I think our batsmen have to take more responsibility to build the innings. One match can change everything, we are still in the tournament, and we need to do well against Afghanistan next time.”

India will take on Pakistan next on Sunday in Dubai, while Bangladesh will play Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on the same day.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...harma-lauds-clinical-performance-1885333.html

 

[JibranAnsari]

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Haris
Malik
SarfraZ
Faheem
Nawaz
Hasan
Afridi
Amir

If shadab is fit , should replace faheem.

 

[Abdullah719]

Asia Cup: We are clear about our roles, says Rohit Sharma on partnership with Shikhar Dhawan

DUBAI: Elated India captain, Rohit Sharma, showered praise on his bowlers after his side registered a comfortable nine-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan here on Sunday.

Riding on centuries from Sharma (111 not out) and Shikhar Dhawan (114), and their 210-run opening stand, India made little work of Pakistan's fighting 237/7 to win with 10.3 overs to spare.

Continuing their winning spree, the men in blue came up with another superb show to outclass Pakistan, thanks to the Indian bowlers and openers Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

"The entire bowling unit stuck to their task and hats off to them. Repeated performances are challenging in these conditions and once again I don't want to take any credit from the bowlers," Rohit, the stand-in India skipper, said after the match.

"With Shikhar, I don't need to talk much. It's important to let him be himself. We have batted enough to know each other to start off like that and we clearly know our roles," he added.

Meanwhile, praising the Pakistan bowling attack, centurion Dhawan said: Pakistan has got a good bowling attack and I knew that as openers we have to stay because they have got good pace; and once I got set, I kept carrying on.

"As I've mentioned I wanted to be sensible with my shots. I've thrown it away in the past and I have learnt my lessons the hard way," he added.

India will now take on Afghanistan in their last Super Four tie here on Tuesday.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...khar-dhawan/articleshow/65928285.cms?from=mdr