If England are looking for a template to bat on turning tracks in India, they will do well to study Rohit Sharma’s knocks against them in 2021. Which balls to defend and which shots to play, Rohit displayed his mastery in the last series here to get 345 runs at an average of 57.50 while most batters struggled.
He proved the difference between the teams with a brilliant 166 in the second Test at Chennai, backing it up with a 66 off 96 balls in a total of 145 in the third Test at Ahmedabad. It was not blind attacking; in the fourth Test he grinded it out for a 49 off 144 balls.
Batting on spiteful turning tracks is an art mastered by few. It can be an unnerving experience. When the spinners impart more revolutions, the ball hisses towards the batter before exploding off the track with fielders circled around him ready to pounce on any error, to gobble up a bat-pad or edge. Trying to survive with dour defending is pointless because some ball will have your name on it. Powerful shots are important to make the stay at the wicket count and shake off the close cordon.
But choice of shots is the key. At the nets on Tuesday, Rohit was pointing out to KS Bharat, batting in the adjacent net, not to get the bat ahead of the pad. He showed him how the ball must be met under the nose, beside the pad and not in front of it.
Then there are subtle points to keep in mind like not committing on the front foot. A rank turner gives the batter no time and Rohit thrives on smashing the ball on the bounce, slog-sweeping full stretch or freeing up his arms for lofted off-side shots. Clean striking is the key.
Esta historia es de la edición January 25, 2024 de Hindustan Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 25, 2024 de Hindustan Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Palestinian PM Resigns Citing 'New Reality' Of War In Gaza
The United States and other powers have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge of all Palestinian territories after the end of war
Future Perfect: The Kids Are All Right
Gill and Jurel hold out promise by simplifying a challenging chase to help India seal series
Akshay feels 'blessed' to have worked with OG Ramayan cast
Director Akshay K Agarwal shot a music video, Humare Ram Aaye Hai, with the cast of the 1987 TV show, Ramayanactors Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia and Sunil Lahri - in Ayodhya recently.
Musk's firm gets nod for Sat Net; joins Jio, Bharti
Starlink, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has been allowed to offer satellite broadband services in India, two officials aware of the development said.
A temple, 169 years in the making
Through decades of design and reworks, hurdles in engineering and construction, HT pieces together how the grandeur of the Ram Temple was reclaimed
'Political interference' forces Vihari to quit Andhra cricket
After Andhra bowed out of the Ranji Trophy at the quarter-final stage with a four-run defeat to Madhya Pradesh in Indore on Monday, senior batter Hanuma Vihari launched a scathing attack on the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), saying he will never turn up for the state again.
Shafali, Kapp lead Capitals to a 9-wicket win over Warriorz
A blazing fifty by Shafali Verma (64₹, 43 balls) helped Delhi Capitals make a mockery of a target of 120 and open their account in the second edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL).
Making 'unbelievable things believable', the Ayhika way
The India No. 7 was an inspired pick for the world team event and she repaid the faith, beating the Chinese world No.1
'Connected TVs to reach 45 mn by 2024-end in India'
With improvement in broadband penetration, Indian households are increasingly opting for connected or addressable TVs.
India chip strategy makes progress as $21 billion in proposals received
The Indian government, after years of watching from the sidelines of the chips race, now has to evaluate $21 billion of semiconductor proposals and divvy up taxpayer support between foreign chipmakers, local champions or some combination of the two.