New York: India captain Rohit Sharma expressed uncertainty regarding the unpredictable nature of the Nassau County ground pitch ahead of the T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, noting that even the curator is unsure about the behavior of the drop-in wickets being used.
The matches in New York have seen low scores, including India’s first match against Ireland where the latter was bowled out for less than 100 runs. This prompted the ICC to issue a statement acknowledging the inconsistent nature of the pitch.
“This is not our home ground. Although we have played a couple of games here, some of our training sessions have been washed out. Regarding the pitch, even the curator, Damien Hough from Australia, doesn’t know how it will behave. It behaves differently on different days,” Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.
The ‘Body Line’
The New York pitch has exhibited significant variable bounce, with both Rohit and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant suffering blows during the match against Ireland. However, Rohit emphasized the need for mental toughness when facing such conditions at the international level.
“When playing at the highest level, these blows don’t count for much. We have seen many examples of this when playing in places like South Africa and Australia. You have to overcome these hurdles,” he stated.
He recalled the Gabba Test match in Brisbane to underscore his point. “The reason we won that Gabba Test match in 2021 was due to our mental toughness. The last day on that pitch, with variable bounce, many batsmen got hit on their chest and fingers. These are the hurdles you must overcome for success in international cricket.”
Team Commitment
Rohit urged his teammates to prioritize the team’s cause above all else. “It’s the World Cup, and nothing is bigger than this. Playing for your nation means that any blows you receive on your arm, finger, or head are secondary. The team’s cause must come first, whether that means staying out there, battling it out, and getting the job done for the team.”
He mentioned that the team had discussions about their approach against Pakistan. “Playing good cricket is key, regardless of the opposition or the pitch. We have had lengthy discussions about the game plan for both batters and bowlers.”
Navigating Drop-in Pitches
Rohit advised his team to make prudent decisions when dealing with unfamiliar drop-in pitches. “There is a lot of experience in our changing room. I expect everyone to try and make good decisions when facing these conditions. Of course, outcomes can vary.”
The Pakistan Factor
Regarding Pakistan’s surprising defeat to the USA, Rohit did not dwell on it. “This is the nature of T20 cricket; anything can happen. In the last World Cup, Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe but still made it to the final. They will likely focus on not repeating those mistakes in this match.”
Pant at No. 3
India has promoted Rishabh Pant to the No. 3 position in this World Cup, a decision Rohit made during the IPL 2024. “I only needed a few games in the IPL to decide where Pant should bat in the World Cup. His abilities are best utilized in this position, especially considering his counter-attacking potential against spinners.”
Kohli’s Form and Team Effort
While Virat Kohli has been in fine form, Rohit stressed the importance of team effort. “We don’t want to rely on one or two individuals. Everyone needs to contribute. Virat has had enough training and experience. Despite not having a great outing in the first game, his vast experience in big tournaments is invaluable.”
Rivalry Against Pakistan
Rohit played down the emotional factor of the match against Pakistan, treating it as just another game. “Nothing has changed from the last seven months since we played them in the Asia Cup. Earlier, it was different as we used to play them once in four years or two years.”
