After spearheading India's series-levelling win at Mohali with a record-breaking third double hundred, Rohit Sharma called this year as his best patch in international cricket.
READ: India brings up century of 300-plus scores
“This year has been the best for me as a cricketer. I am someone who doesn’t look too far ahead. I am only thinking about this particular series. Yes I have been hitting the ball quite well. I had to be ready when the opportunity came.
"I have no regrets about what has happened in the past. The future is bright. I wanted to be ready for the opportunity in Test matches. Because of the combination of bowlers, I sometimes may not get to play. I have to be prepared always, and be at my best.
READ: Sharma smashes third ODI double century
"I looked to bat 50 overs and score as many possible. It may not happen all the time but whenever I see the opportunity I try to make the most of it,” said Rohit.
All knocks are important
This is Rohit's second double century against Sri Lanka after a world record score of 264 in Kolkata in 2014. His first double ton came against Australia in Bangalore in 2013.
The 30-year-old, however, did not want to rate his knocks. “The other two were as important as this one. The first one against Australia made it 2-2. For the one against Sri Lanka, I returned from an injury. So for that reason, it was right up there.
"Here we wanted to come back as a batting group. So it was important. Also, because it was my first captaincy stint. As a batsman I wanted to do well and take my team into good position. I don’t think I can rate any of three double hundreds. All three we were very important from the team’s perspective.”
Playing according to the field
On his batting style, Rohit observed, “The first 100 took a little longer, the second hundred not that long because I was set. You understood what the bowlers were trying to do by then. It was all about playing according to the field.
"Once you get past 100, it is all about not making a mistake. It was all about me not making mistake and batting as long as possible. After I scored 100, I just wanted to bat to my strength. There is no formula for it. The pitch was nice and hard and you could hit on the up. All the double hundreds I got were similar in pattern. I started off very slow and then picked up the pace, at the end, I accelerated."
Rohit added, “I like to analyse situations and conditions which were initially not easy. I wanted to play out the overs. I am not someone like AB de Villiers, Gayle or Dhoni. I don’t have that much power. I have to use my brain to manipulate the field, and stick to my strength which is to hit through the lines."
'Nothing's easy in cricket'
On his six hitting ability, Rohit noted, “Nothing is easy in cricket. Maybe when you watch it on TV it looks easier. But it is not. You have to use your brain and time the ball.
"Trying to scoop the ball and hit over point is my strength. You can’t clear the rope always that easily. You can exploit the five fielders inside and play around with the field. Shot selection becomes very important.”
Hitting a century in front of his wife was special. “You must have seen on the screen that she was happy more than me. She got a little emotional as well. It was the first double hundred she witnessed.
"It is not that I score double hundreds every day. It is good to have her there. But more than that winning the game is important.”
Looking ahead, Rohit said, “I have not had a good time in South Africa but I am quite determined to change that bit. I do not want to think too far ahead. I will have to make a few technical changes. I will think about South Africa after 24 December."
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