Rohit: Onus is on set batsman to bat through

After scoring a big hundred in the first ODI against Australia, India's Rohit Sharma says the onus on the set batsman to bat right through the innings because of the new rules in the 50-over format.

After the high-scoring World Cup last year, cricket's governing body changed the rules to allow the fielding team an extra fielder outside the circle in the final 10 overs of the innings.

Rohit, who scored 171 not out against the Aussies in Perth, feels it is now difficult for the a new batsman coming in to find the boundaries which puts the onus on the in batter to up the rate and stay at the crease.

The 28 year-old Rohit said: "I think it's very important [to bat long] now that the rules have changed. So a set batsman is batting in the middle, it is easier for him than the new batsmen to come and play his shots.

"So it is very important for the batsman who is set and batting well to carry on as long as possible because that is how you can stretch your target and get to a competitive score.

"That's how I have looked at it always and it is a good opportunity to get past 100 and you challenge yourself, what else you can do after that.

"So for me after getting a hundred I start another innings, which is starting from zero and scoring another hundred and that's how I look at it.

"As a batting group our aim has always been one batsman batting through as long as possible so being a top-order batsman it is my responsibility to bat as long as possible and get the team to a good score and a competitive score, and that's how I look at it.

Australia lead the five-match series one-nil after a five-wicket victory in Perth with the second game scheduled to take place in Brisbane on Friday.

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