In the fast-paced world of modern cricket, adaptability and open-mindedness have become crucial elements for teams seeking to excel, Indian cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, is acutely aware of this fact and has been vocal about his desire for his team to embrace flexibility both in their mindset and their batting order.
As the nation prepares for the upcoming ODI World Cup, Rohit’s emphasis on versatility could prove to be the key to unlocking India’s batting potential. Rohit Sharma’s call for flexibility was echoed during the announcement of India’s Asia Cup squad in New Delhi. He stressed the importance of every player being ready to bat at any position, challenging the notion of fixed roles.
“One thing I want in this team is to make sure everyone is okay to bat anywhere,” Rohit Sharma said at a press conference to announce India’s Asia Cup squad in New Delhi. “That’s one thing we need to keep in mind. You need flexibility, guys who can step up at any position. No one should say, ‘I’m good at this position or I’m good at that position’. You want guys to be able to bat anywhere, that’s the message conveyed to every individual. Not now, but over the last three-four years.”
Drawing inspiration from former India coach Ravi Shastri’s belief that no player should own a particular position, Rohit reinforced the idea that in the dynamic world of international cricket, adaptability is paramount. He acknowledged that while it might be difficult for outsiders to understand certain positional changes, the team’s focus remains on optimizing its performance rather than adhering to fixed roles.
To illustrate his point, Rohit used the example of Axar Patel, highlighting his ability to disrupt the opposition’s strategies as a versatile player who can take on various batting roles. This approach not only adds depth to India’s batting lineup but also keeps opponents guessing about the team’s strategies.
“This is international sport, not club cricket, that you’re talking about” – Rohit Sharma
Ajit Agarkar, India’s chairman of selectors, further clarified Rohit’s stance, explaining that while specific roles and plans exist, flexibility comes into play as the game or tournament unfolds. This means players should be open to adjustments based on form, match-ups, and team dynamics. Agarkar’s insight underscores the team’s belief that with talent and versatility, the necessary flexibility will naturally emerge.
“I know it’s tough for guys on the outside to understand why a guy who bats at six is batting at four, but the message has been given. This is international sport, not club cricket, that you’re talking about. It’s not like we go to sleep giving a position for a certain player and then change it the next morning.
We say, ‘this is what we want’. You don’t want to be handicapped or stuck with one player batting in one position. Having said that, you want to get the best out of players in certain positions. All seven-eight numbers are open to anyone, that’s the message we have sent out for so many years now,” Rohit Sharma concluded.
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