We will keep encouraging players to be more expressive: Rohit

One of the integral aspects of the new Indian setup is the ability to express themselves freely in the middle of the ground without worrying too much about their spot. Ahead of India’s three-match series against Australia, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma insisted that the management will continue to encourage players to be more expressive in their approach. 

"In these six games we want to keep trying what we can achieve with different styles. It is all about going out and trying to find ways of exploring ourselves but there is no limit to trying new things. You can extend yourself in so many directions to achieve so many things for the team,” Rohit said ahead of the first T20I between India and Australia. 

Whilst not only talking about the batters, Rohit extended the approach to the bowlers, who he wants to try using their variations with the ball. 

"We will keep encouraging people to be more expressive. For example, someone who doesn't play reverse sweep, can he play that and see if he can do it right. Someone can hit down the ground, things you are not comfortable doing, you do that and see what happens.”

"When you go into the World Cup you should have all these answers. For bowlers, they can try opening the spell with a yorker or a bouncer," said the skipper.

On the squad announcement, the 35-year-old reckoned that bringing security into the setup was one of the major reasons for the management to announce both the squads together. 

"I wanted to bring security in the team that is why we announced the team for both the series before the World Cup (Australia and South Africa). In Asia Cup also we more less had the same team," he said. 

India's new-found approach in T20Is

Rohit also addressed that the team has a unified vision and a stance on how to approach the innings, whether they are 10/3 or 50/0 in the global event. However, the right-hander now put it down to execution, a place where he reckons there could be improvement. 

"Guys are very clear if we are 10 for three how we need to bat. If we are 50 for no loss, how we need to bat. These have been discussed at length, it is just about executing now."

"In Super 4s we had close games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, it could have gone either way. You need a bit of luck as well. Hopefully we will get that in the World Cup. This approach of ours has given us a lot of trust that we can go out and play like that. It is a great sign.”

Leading into the series against Australia, there will be focus on the left-arm seamer, Arshdeep Singh, who had to undergo severe criticism from all ends after his performance in the Asia Cup. But skipper Rohit is confident of the left-arm seamer’s skillset and insisted that the management will continue to back him. 

"The way Arshdeep bowled was very impressive. The way he landed yorkers in extreme pressure in his first year of international cricket, it is not easy.

"He is a very smart guy and keeps things simple. We needed a left arm seamer and he has done well in IPL and then he came here and has done well. We always wanted variety in our attack and we have that now."