Rohit excited about Australia pace challenge

India opening batsman Rohit Sharma is not overly concerned about facing Australia’s fast bowlers at the end of the year, saying the Indian batsmen had done well against South Africa’s pacemen and could handle the pressure.

India will tour Australia In December, heading towards the World Cup there too, and Rohit is looking forward to the trip, and the chance to get acclimatised, as well as test his technique against the Aussies.

Rohit told PTI: “Australia will be a challenging tour for us. Mentally, each and every cricketer have a different way of preparing or doing their respective homework for a tour.

“I am no different and I will also have my plans in place as we come nearer to the time of the tour. Facing the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris will be a stern test.

“But we have faced Dale Steyn, More Morkel in South Africa. We have played on bouncy as well as seaming pitches in South Africa, New Zealand and England in the past one year.

“Also, most of us have been to Australia before and know what to expect from pitches out there. Also it will be a good preparation for us before the World Cup, next year.”

Rohit added that the move to opener in ODIs has improved his batting greatly, and he is enjoying the position, while not feeling pressure to compete against Ajinkya Rahane for the role.

He said: “Opening the batting for India changed me as a player. My perspective on building an innings has improved tremendously since I started opening the batting. I believe I have become a better overall cricketer once I started opening the batting.

“I have loved my role as an opener but I am proud of what Ajinkya has achieved in England. For me, it does not matter which position I am batting as long as I am making a contribution to team’s cause.

“If I am told to open by the team management, I would humbly accept it and if I told to bat in the middle-order, it will be an equal honour. I have no choices or preferences as far as batting slots are concerned.”

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