Rohit Sharma hails tango with Ajinkya Rahane after India seal Australia series

Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane dashed any hopes of an Australian resurgence with their third consecutive century partnership in the ODI series to help India clinch the final game by seven wickets. (India vs Australia 5th ODI blog | Scores)

Rohit Sharma, the Indian vice-captain, credited their outstanding show to the rapport built over years by playing together in the Mumbai circuit. Rohit Sharma struck 125, his 14th ODI century, while Rahane scored 61, his fourth half-century in a row.

“We’ve played together a lot in Mumbai… we know each other’s game really well. We talk a lot in the middle about when we need to take risk and when we need not take risk,” Rohit said.

READ | Rohit Sharma, Axar Patel flatten Australia as India regain No.1 spot in ODIs

“These are the little things that really help in building a partnership. I guess in the last three games we’ve got hundred-run partnerships and that’s only through the communication we’ve had in the middle. It’s important you keep talking to your partner, making him comfortable and it goes the other way as well.

“And he has played really well throughout the tournament, scoring four fifties in the last four games and he’s shown a lot of maturity as well handling the new ball. Whatever conditions you play, handling the new ball is pretty important and he did that pretty well.”

It has been a fantastic run for Rohit Sharma, who’s been in superb form since coming back from the serious thigh injury he suffered during the New Zealand ODI series last year.

READ | Rohit Sharma’s 14th century takes India to 4-1 series win against Australia

“The team really depends on the start we give as openers. It’s really important and it adds to our success. I just go out and try and enjoy the moment. That is what I’ve been doing in the past few years, and in the future as well; it’s not going to change.”

“I just have to go out and assess the conditions and see what the opposition are and plan accordingly. We’ve finished the ODI series with Australia, and after the three T20s, New Zealand are coming. Their bowling dynamics are different. You will try and think about their bowling, what they do and what they don’t. We played them last year in our conditions and we know exactly what to expect.”

Barring KL Rahul, every player in the squad featured in the series. Rahul Sharma shied away from calling the bench strength as the best India has ever had but admitted that with everyone fulfilling their roles, the side has shown its ability to rise to the occasion.

READ | Ajinkya Rahane hits 4th consecutive 50 of Australia series

“Whoever has got an opportunity have come and grabbed it. It only shows we’ve got guys who can come up at any given point, take up the challenge, perform. We missed (Yuzvendra) Chahal today, (but) Axar came in, got wickets. Kuldeep was there, bowled pretty well. Ajinkya has scored consistently throughout the series and it only goes to show this team is solid and the future is bright.”