'I am waiting for the overseas challenge' - Rohit Sharma

The constant drive to improve and not rest on the past laurels is what separates champions from average cricketers. Rohit Sharma may have taken Test match opening as fish takes to water, the right-handed batsman is not reading much into it.

Sharma, who had racked up two back-to-back hundreds in his debut Test as an opener in Vizag, went on to smash his first double-century to become only the fourth batsman after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Chris Gayle to register 200+ score in both Tests and One-day cricket.

Speaking about his double ton, Rohit reckoned it was the most challenging innings that he has played thus far in his 30-Test career, “I’m not reading too much into these runs. In overseas, of course, it’s a different ball game. That’s a challenge I’m waiting for. Speaking of this particular knock, I would say it was most challenging. I have not played much. I played only 30 Tests. In terms of what was thrown at me, I would definitely say it was probably the most challenging one,” the MI opener said after the day’s play.

‘I knew it could come at any time’ – Rohit Sharma

Rohit also opened up about making the most of the opportunities at the top of the order, once again iterating the fact that he was more than ready to take up Test opening as the communication with the team management had been going around for a long time.

“So it was about making most of the opportunities I got. I knew I had to make full use of it, otherwise, media would have written against me. Now I know everyone will write good things about me. It was a good opportunity for me to open the batting. As I said during the Vizag Test, the communication between me and my team management was happening for a long time about opening the batting. So mentally, I was ready for it. I knew it could come at any time.” said Sharma as quoted by TOI.

Sharma has had a great start to his Test career as an opener, but the Mumbai Indians skipper thinks he still has a long way to go, considering tough overseas challenge awaits him.

“In Tests, it has its challenges. Having played only three Tests as an opener, I know I have a long way to go. I am not reading too much into these three Tests. Of course, I will take a lot of positives but I am not reading too much into it.” said Rohit.

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