Indian captain Rohit Sharma has tipped Oval as one of the best batting wickets in England. The Oval pitch is expected to be a paradise for the batters in the first couple of days. Rohit scored a magnificent knock of 127 runs in the second innings of the fourth Oval Test match against England in 2021 in India’s gargantuan win of 157 runs.
On that tour, Rohit had proved his mettle as an opener in tough foreign conditions as he had amassed 368 runs in four Test matches and had finished as the second-highest run-getter.
Rohit feels it will be crucial for players to keep concentrating for a long period of time in order to deliver the goods for the team.
“The weather keeps changing a lot, so you have to keep concentrating for longer periods of time and that is the challenge of this format. You have got to keep concentrating for longer periods of time. You will get that intuition when to take the bowlers on, and you have to be ready for it,” Sharma spoke about the conditions at an event organized by the broadcasters.
“You have to understand what your strengths are. It is nice to know the pattern of scoring runs here as we know that this is one of the best batting wickets in England. You get value for your shots, the square boundaries are quite quick, and it is about giving yourself the best chance of having success here,” he further added.
Rohit added that Test cricket is the most challenging format for him as a player and also as a leader. The red-ball version of the game is known to challenge the players – both mentally and physically.
“Right at the top. It is the most challenging format. It keeps challenging you as a player and as a leader now. You look forward to that. For me, it is just right at the top. For our team as well you know. In the last 3 or 4 years we have had good success all around the world. It is just about crossing the final hurdle,” Sharma said in the event.
Rohit has been doing a fine job at the top of the order in Test cricket and he will hold the key against Australia in the WTC Final, which will be played at the Oval from June 7.
