“I don’t think we are unbeatable": Indian skipper Rohit ahead of tests against England

Rohit Sharma during India’s practice session. Pic/AFP

India might be an indomitable force at home, but skipper Rohit Sharma refused to label his team "unbeatable" and insisted that they need to play consistent cricket to trump England in the five-match series, beginning today.

"I don't think we are unbeatable. We don't want to think like that. Whatever past records we have over the last decade or so, do not guarantee that we will come out on top in this series. We have to play well to win this series," Rohit said at the pre-match press conference here.

The captain however claimed that the win over South Africa in the second Test at Cape Town has given his side a lot of confidence: "The Cape Town win was good but this match is in Hyderabad. It is different conditions, different opposition. But yeah, that win has given us a lot of confidence and we can take that into this series.

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Selection headache

The skipper admitted that the team management had a tough time making the third spinner's choice between Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav for the opening Test. "If the wicket has bounce or if it doesn't have bounce, he [Kuldeep] still is a factor in those types of conditions because he's got superb variations. Obviously, he is a very mature bowler now from what he was a few years back," said Rohit, going on to underlined the utility of left-arm spinner Axar as an all-rounder.

Axar's all-round ability

"Axar, you know, with his all-round ability, gives us that batting depth. The consistency that he's shown, playing in these conditions in Test cricket, also is an important factor for us. But it was a headache to decide who it is going to be for us. But I am not going to say who it is," said Rohit.

The India skipper also hinted that the Test career of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane might not be revived as the focus has shifted to giving more opportunities to younger players. Once Virat Kohli decided to skip the first two Tests, the possibility of including either Pujara or Rahane was discussed widely, but it seems the current selection panel headed by Ajit Agarkar are not in a mood to look back.

Picking them young

India opted to bring in Rajat Patidar as Kohli's replacement. "We did think about it [going back to a senior player], but all these younger players, when are they going to get their opportunity? That's something we thought, I thought as well. Leaving out an experienced player is very hard, but you sometimes have to bring certain players into your set-up as well. You have to give them favourable conditions as you don't want to expose them on foreign soil, where they've not played before. So, it's important that we try and give some of these youngsters an opportunity," said Rohit.

131
Total number of India v England Tests

64
No of Tests played in India

67
No of Tests played in England

31
No of Tests won by India (22 home, nine away)

50
No of Tests won by England (36 home, 14 away)

50
No of draws (28 in India, 22 in England)

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