South Africa vs India: Rohit Sharma optimistic about India's chances in ODI series

After a 2-1 loss in the Test series, team India is now ready to bounce back in the limited overs fixtures against South Africa. Ahead of the first ODI of the six-match ODI series, Indian vice-captain Rohit Sharma oozed confidence about the chances of the Men in Blue in the series. Coming in to the series, the team will surely be high on confidence with their consolation win in the final Test.

However, they will remember that they have not had the best of times in ODIs on the South African soil. Having said that, the team can still manage to optimistic since there have been quite a few new additions to the squad. Among the few players from the Test squad who will now be playing the ODIs is Rohit Sharma.

Rohit did not have the best of times in the Test series. As per the quotes in Times of India, Rohit quashed all claims of him being tagged as a limited overs cricketer. He noted that he give the same amount of effort to the game irrespective of the format.

“It’s not that I don’t try much in Test cricket. I give the same effort in all the formats that I play, but sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn’t. But that doesn’t mean that you have to change things too much. You’ve got to believe in yourself, you’ve come so far and played and got success. I’ve been in a difficult situation before many times, so for me it’s all about taking it one game at a time and responding to situations,” quoted Rohit Sharma.

Rohit further added that he is not very keen on talking about the Test series now. He rightly noted that the team is only looking forward and are focused on winning the ODI series now. Also, the fact that it is a long series makes it important to take one game at a time.

“I’m not going to talk about Test cricket so much because it’s over now, and we have a big job at hand winning the ODI series here. Every batsman who will be taking part in this ODI series will have a huge role to play. I’m here to make an impact in the series. We are very keen to win this ODI series. But it is a long series; it is a six-match series. I think it’s been a while since we played a six-match series. We cannot think too far ahead,” said the Indian vice-captain.

On the poor record in South Africa

The last time team India played an ODI series in South Africa, they were beaten 0-2 in the 3-match series in 2013 season. Also, they have a very poor record in Durban. Rohit Sharma believes that these numbers will not impact the current side. He remarked that the players are experienced now and know how to get about their business. Moreover, Indian bowlers showed they can do the work in the Test series.

“There are two things into it. The first thing is when we came last time, our guys were inexperienced and had hardly played in overseas conditions. It does matter because the lengths that you bowl in India and the lengths that you bowl overseas are slightly different,” Rohit pointed out.

“Now all these bowlers have enough experience and they’ve got the job done in Test series as well. They created history by taking all 60 wickets in the Test series. Our bowling has shown enough courage and it is a plus for the bowling unit. So it will be a different ball game this time around,” he added.

On the ODI form

Commenting on the ODI form, Rohit admitted that the Indian team has had a great run in the format. Barring one odd defeat against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, the team has done exceedingly well. They hope to continue on the winning momentum.

“Of course the last six-seven months have been really great. Since the Champions Trophy in England, we’ve had a great run except for the loss against Pakistan (in the final). That was a little disappointing. But yes, since then it’s been a good run. I hope I can continue and put the team in a good situation. We want to get those victories away from home,” Rohit Sharma conceded.

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