Rohit sheds obsessive mindset to find Test success
"Honestly speaking, I stopped thinking about Test matches a long time back," Rohit told PTI.
Since his debut in 2013, Rohit has made 32 Test appearances, scoring 2,141 runs at an average of 46.54. He's been in and out of India's red-ball assignments, and before 2019, he averaged 39.62.
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However, in the home Tests against South Africa and Bangladesh last year, Rohit, who had never opened in the format, was promoted at the top – a position he is used to batting in the white-ball formats. In his first series as a Test opener, he made 529 runs at an exceptional average of 132.25, including two hundreds and a double-hundred against South Africa.
Rohit recalled that it was before India's series against Australia in late 2018, when he stopped thinking about his technique and started focussing on enjoying the game.
"Before 2018-19 Australia series, I told myself, 'Boss, whatever has to happen will happen and I am not going to think about technique'. At the end of the day, I want to go out there, share a laugh with my mates and enjoy.
"Thinking too much about technique was not allowing me to enjoy the game. All that was there in my mind was, 'Oh I need to do well in Test cricket'. I was thinking too much about success in Tests. I would go overboard as to why is this happening, why am I playing that shot.
"After each Test innings, I would go to our video analyst, sit, watch and then confuse my brain further."
The India opener added that he feels blessed to get opportunities in Tests, and his main focus would be to embrace the chances.
"You can't allow negative thoughts to creep in when you are playing such a high-profile sport," he said. "I know that I am no longer 22 or 23 years old that I will keep getting opportunities in Test matches and can take my place for granted.
"I know that every time I go out there, I have to put a high price tag on my wicket. I am blessed to get an opportunity that many are waiting for. So, why should I regret, worry or think about so many things?"
