Big-hit Rohit vows to rock on

Hyderabad
Oct. 6: Rohit Sharma may be out of the Indian team but is definitely not down. The middle order batsmen is in fact charting a new course to get back into the national side — the Champions League Twenty20 tournament.
Bowlers are bound to face the ire of this aggressive Deccan Chargers player as he prepares to turn the heat on to catch the attention of selectors who overlooked him. Rohit tried to play it down though. “It’s disappointing to be out of the national team but that’s part of a cricketer’s career and I’ll take it in my stride,” the 22-year-old told this newspaper on Tuesday.
“It’s not the end of my career — I have a long way to go, and if I do well in the Champions League, I am sure I will make my way back into the Indian team,” he added.
Is he itching to prove a point? “It’s always tempting but I don’t want to make a statement about my batting capabilities to anyone. I just want to go out there and enjoy my game, which in turn should result in good performances,” Rohit maintained.
“The Champions League is a huge platform for me, I will go all out to get big scores for my team, which is favourite to win the Cup,” an upbeat Rohit continued.
Asked about his preference in the batting line-up, Rohit said he was game with any slot. “At the beginning of IPL-2 I was batting up the order and subsequently moved down. I am ready to bat anywhere the captain and coach want me to,” he informed.
Rohit’s ability to adapt to various match situations was evident in IPL-2 where he pulled off improbable wins — blasting 22 runs in the final over including a last ball six against Kolkata Knight Riders to revive the Chargers campaign towards the end being a case in point.
“I love the pressure situations, they push my game to a different level... and when you deliver, the satisfaction is immense. I am looking forward to such innings in the Champions League as well,” Rohit said, mindful of his added responsibilities as vice-captain, batting mainstay, sharp fielder and breakthrough bowler.
However, the burden is lightened, courtesy faithful fans. “I love the Hyderabadis who have always supported us. In the inaugural IPL though we did not do well they were right behind us. I thank them for that as it powered us when IPL-2 came around,” Rohit said.
He vowed to do his best to make the city smile. “To be playing in Hyderabad is a special feeling. I’ve always done well here and consider it a lucky venue. I promise the fans that everyone of us (in the team) who is wearing a Deccan Chargers T-shirt will give our best to garner greater glory for Hyderabad,” he said.