Rohit Sharma Opens Up On Team India's Playing 11 For Pakistan Match In Asia Cup

India will play Pakistan on September 2 at Kandy in their first match of Asia Cup 2023. Rohit Sharma says that India will have to deal with the quality of Pakistani bowling lineup.

Rohit Sharma. (Source: Twitter)

India captain Rohit Sharma feels the fitness tests have been done and the Men in Blue have come to Sri Lanka with their game face on and wanting to win the Asia Cup. Rohit was answering the question on whether Asia Cup is a tournament to test the fitness of the players. The India captain also said that they have plenty of combinations in mind. He is also happy to see Jasprit Bumrah doing well, both fitness and bowling wise.

"All sorts of combinations available looking at how game was played yesterday. We have got experience in our batting lineup. Batters have to play accordingly. We will try to take game on but it is imoortant to read the situation well. Being aggressive is important but at the same time, the players will take their decisions in the middle," said Rohit.

The 36-year-old cricketer said that Asia Cup is not a time to experiment and the team will now be looking to focus on strategies to win. He spoke on the heartbreak of losing ICC tournaments in the past and said that every loss was a lesson for the team. "We learn from every mistake and loss. We have given opportunity to many players in the last one year. We will use this Asia Cup to play godo cricket. We are going to focus on winning," said Rohit.

Rohit Sharma said "Asia Cup is a big tournament, lots of history, this is not a fitness Test, that all was completed last week in Bangalore". pic.twitter.com/uVOTCzimfP — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 1, 2023

Rohit also urged his batters to play responsibly. While aggression is important, Rohit said that understanding the situation is also very important. "We have to apply ourselves in this format and in this tournaments. Yes you have to be aggressive but at the same time you have to apply and gave the time to settle in the crease and play according to situation," said Rohit.

Rohit also felt surprised at the fact that both India and Pakistan have not played each other in the final of Asia Cup for 9 years and said that hopefully this year, both teams will be in the final. Talking about his own batting approach, Rohit said that he has played all his life at the top with a high-risk approach but now he will have to balance that in the ODIs and set the platform for the batters to come. 

India take on Pakistan at Kandy. The match will start at 3 pm IST with the toss taking place half an hour before the first ball. The match will be live streamed on Hotstar while it will be available to watch on Star Sports Network.