I want to be part of the No.1 Test team: Rohit Sharma

Star batsman Rohit Sharma says he is now focussing on Test cricket and wishes to be a part of wished to be a part of the country’s World No.1 Test team. A burst of T20 cricket for the first half of the year, India now have four away Test matches against the West Indies followed by three home Test series scheduled later on in the year.

“India has a lot of Test matches coming up. We will travel to the West Indies and then will play a couple of Test series at home,” a hopeful Rohit said in Mumbai after being named the CEAT Indian Cricketer of the Year.

“We will aim to regain the No.1 spot in Tests. I want to be part of the No.1 Test team,” he added.

India is currently having a good run.

“We had a wonderful year in 2015-16. We created history in Sri Lanka in Test series after winning it and then against South Africa at home. Then we had the limited-overs series in Australia, followed by a good series against Lanka, then Asia Cup,” he said.

“We also had a good World T20 but could not win the title. It happens in cricket. But West Indies deserves the credit as they were the best team,” Rohit added.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was awarded the International Bowler of the Year, credited first-class cricket for helping him develop the skills.

“Indian Premier League (IPL) gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills. But first-class gave me the start in my career. I learned the basics in first-class and the Ranji Trophy,” Ashwin said, while expressing his desire to bowl four back-to-back maidens in a T20 match.

“I also strive to improve my bowling. My dream is to bowl four maiden overs in a T20 match.”