Mohit Sharma, Stuart Binny ready for safari

 

“I had a good World Cup but wasn’t able to replicate it in Bangladesh. It is part and parcel of the game. I know the conditions well in Zimbabwe having played there the last time. The ball swings and bounce is much more and I should do well there,” Mohit said a day ahead of India’s departure to Zimbabwe. 

India will play three-match ODI series and two T20 internationals under new skipper Ajinkya Rahane. The team batting lacks experience but the pace department is relatively seasoned and Mohit & Co. may feel more pressure. “I love bowling in pressure and it brings out the best in me,” Mohit said. 

 

The 26-year-old felt the new ODI rules with no power plays and five fielders outside the circle at death will assist the bowlers but warned that the batsmen will learn to cope with it. “I hope we are going to be hit less now. But batsmen have developed enough skills to look out for runs at their will,” he said. 

 

The shrewd Indian pacer says he wants to keep things simple and not worry much about a new rule where a free hit is to be awarded on all modes of no ball. “I want to keep things simple. We practice to bowl inside the front and side line a lot in the nets and we have to execute the same on the field,” he said.

 

All-rounder Stuart Binny, who has been in and out of the side, hoped to get better opportunities on the tour. 

“I have been with the squad for a year-and-a-half and had few opportunities. Hope I get more chances now. I know my role very clearly, and have to chip in with both bat and ball, and adjust to situations,” he said.

 

Being the son of a member of selection committee Roger Binny, he admitted it has put pressure on him. “I grew up him being my only coach. It hasn’t been that easy being him a selector.