‘I can score 300 in ODIs’ – Rohit Sharma
Scoring a double hundred in Tests is a gargantuan task in
itself. However, scoring the same in ODIs is something else entirely. The level
of concentration and the meticulousness in pacing the innings is something that
has to be at an optimum level.
In this regard, Rohit Sharma is the perhaps the best batsmen
as he has scored not one, not two, but three double hundreds in the 50-over game. As
a result, he now believes that scoring 300 in ODIs is actually a possibility should
things pan out the way a batsman wants them to.
Sharma said to Times of India, "Anything is possible on
a day when things go your way."
He then stated that he was asked about it when he scored
264, but to him it is not a big deal like it is for some others.
"I was asked after scoring 264 was if I could've
touched 300. In T20s too, you score a hundred and the question is if a 200 is
possible.
“I want to keep telling them, 'guys please relax'. Only 36
runs separate a 264 and 300, so what's the big deal? That's how it's seen.
“In my mind, I can understand where they're coming from.
But, on a personal front, I never think like that," Rohit said.
The Mumbai Indians captain then revealed that it is really possible
to score a triple hundred should the batsmen measure the pitch beforehand. On a
good batting track, he says, batsmen should play their game while on a poorer
track, the should settle down first.
"If you're playing on a good (batting) pitch, take
advantage. If you're playing on a challenging track, take your time. Simple.
The only difference is that because I've done it thrice (200+), I know how to
do it also.
“So the only advantage I perhaps enjoy is that I've been
there thrice. But let me tell you one thing: If you are a top order batsman and
you continue to bat with the mindset that you've got to stay there for the
entire 50 overs, anything is possible on a day when things go your way,"
he added.
One of the most common patterns that we find among batsmen
is that they usually get dismissed after scoring a century. And Rohit Sharma is
of the same opinion, stating the batsmen himself is his own biggest enemy after
scoring a 100.
"After you score a century, it's highly unlikely that bowlers will look to get you out as much as they'll try to curb the run flow. It's only if you commit a mistake that you'll be walking back. Like in my case, after I reach a hundred, a potential outswinger is not what's worrying me. I'm entering a zone from where only my mistake will allow me to fail."
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