‘We can seize the moments’

– India have the quality and confidence in their batting ranks to master the extra pace and bounce on Australian wickets and excel across formats, batsman Rohit Sharma (above) said yesterday.

India have never won a Test series Down Under but fancy their chances against an Australian team yet to recover from a ball-tampering scandal that led to bans for former captain Steve Smith, opener David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft.

“This is one place we want to leave our mark on and do well as a unit,” Rohit told reporters in Brisbane where the three-match Twenty20 series kicks off tomorrow.

“The last time we came here there were a few close games. We want to make it count this time around. There is real good feeling in the group across all three formats. The motive of the team is to try and seize all the moments.

“When you do well in places like Australia you feel good as a team. Thinking about the World Cup ahead it can only give you confidence winning in places like Australia.”

The Twenty20 Internationals will be followed by a four-Test series beginning in Adelaide on December 6.

The Gabba does not host any Test but Perth, known for assisting the quicks, is the venue for the second match while Melbourne and Sydney host the last two.

“India have always played either at Perth or Brisbane,” Rohit said. “This time around we are playing at Perth and not Brisbane. Last time we played at Brisbane but not Perth.

“Those two conditions are obviously very challenging and Australia especially have tall bowlers who extract bounce and use it to their advantage. Indian batsmen generally are not that tall. It’s not that easy for us.

“But all the guys are determined to change things around this time. It will be a challenge but we are ready to accept the challenge.”

Rohit has scored heavily in the limited-overs matches in Australia and his strong backfoot play earned him a place in India’s test squad after being dropped following modest returns in South Africa earlier this year. –

Brisbane

When you do well in places like Australia you feel good as a team.

Rohit Sharma Indian batsman