India's young batting star Rohit Sharma talks about learning from Yuvraj, the importance of domestic cricket and the dislike for the dilscoop. Excerpts:
Your selection came out of the blue...
Yes it was. I didn't even know that the team selection was on March 26th. I was so focused on the IPL that it just skipped my mind. Then, on that day I was in the team bus going to the ground when a reporter called and told me that I was there in the World Cup squad. I hope I can help the team repeat what we did in 2007 in South Africa .
But how can someone be so non-chalant about a team selection?
I don't think that 'I should be in this team or that team'. If I am a part of a team it's fine, if not, it's OK. Earlier, I'd worry about these things and put unnecessary pressure but now I deliberately look the other way.
How you feel when Ian Chappell says that you can replace Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4 in Tests?
I have learnt that these things are irrelevant. If you do well people will put you on a pedestal and if you don't, you are gone (laughs).
With so much talent and promise, why haven't you been able to cement your place as yet?
I think I'm not consistent enough. There have been patches where I have been good and at times I have been really bad. Having said that I'd also like to add that I was been constantly shuffled up and down the batting order. One day I was batting at 3, 4 or 5 and other days I was batting at 7 or 8 and in between also opening the innings.
What's ideal batting slot for you?
In the middle-order. That's where I have played all my cricket.
In reaching for consistency, have you stopped playing some strokes?
I stopped playing that flick and other lofted strokes on the leg-side as my feet were not moving that well. I was focusing more on the off-side.
In the T20 World Cup, your role could be of a finisher. Your Deccan Chargers' teammate Andrew Symonds and coach Darren Lehmann have excelled in that role. Did you pick anything from them?
I have, but majority of my tricks came from Yuvraj Singh. When I was dropped, Yuvi paa cited his own example and told me that every cricketer has gone through this phase. He advised me to enjoy this period as it can be mentally draining. He is the real force behind my batting. I don't think anyone apart from Yuvi paa can help me in my batting. He told me that the most important thing as a finisher is to read the situation of the match. He said that you have to think like an opposition captain.
And what about Sachin Tendulkar? What did you pick up from him?
Whenever I have played alongside Sachin paaji he has always emphasised on the body position. He'd always stress that the head should be still. I have noticed in the IPL and even prior to that that whenever he'd hit a big shot, his body position and head would be extremely still. And if it is not then you can not middle the ball. This is what I have learnt from Sachin paaji, how to keep my head and body still.
Do you also train for big shots in the nets?
I do practise the swing of my bat. I try to keep it as straight as possible right from the back-lift to the final follow through. Also, towards the end of each practice session, I ask bowlers to bowl 25 balls and I try to hit at least 20 for a four or a six. I do not get 20 all the time, but around 17-18.
What about those cute strokes - reverse sweep, Dilscoop etc?
I don't like these strokes, I think they are far too risky for me. I concentrate on playing orthodox strokes and so far most of my runs have come through them. Also, if you look at Sachin paaji's batting in the IPL you'd realise he played hardly any of these strokes.
Was the Ranji triple ton turning point of your career?
A triple ton is a triple ton but I won't rate it that high as it came on an easier wicket (at CCI, Mumbai). I think the hundred I got against Railways in Delhi was the turning point of my career. It came on a wicket where the ball was turning from the Day 1. When I came into bat we were some 40 odd for 4 and by the end of the first innings, we took the lead in the first innings.
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