T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma reveals India's strategy to win against Pakistan on New York Pitch

Sharma says India's selection strategy is aimed at maintaining a balanced side that can adapt to varying conditions.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has outlined the game plan for India's upcoming match against Pakistan, set to take place on a challenging pitch in New York this Sunday.

After securing an eight-wicket victory over Ireland on a tricky New York surface on Wednesday, Sharma stressed the significance of gearing up for tough batting conditions ahead of the clash against their arch-rivals.

"I don't know what to expect from the pitch, to be honest, but we will prepare as if the conditions are going to be similar to what we faced against Ireland," Rohit stated following Ireland's dismissal for 96 runs on Wednesday.

With a light-hearted chuckle, Rohit remarked, "I don't think we can play four spinners here."

He explained the team's selection strategy aimed at maintaining a balanced side capable of adapting to varying conditions. "We wanted to have that balance in the team. If conditions favor the seamers, we wanted to be prepared for that. As the tournament progresses, spin will likely come into play," he added.

Assessing the pitch and prevailing conditions, Rohit emphasised the team's readiness to make necessary adjustments as the situation demands.

"Today's conditions favoured the seamers, and yet we managed to include two spinners who are also all-rounders. This provides us with a well-rounded squad heading into the game. The match against Pakistan will require contributions from all eleven players," he stated.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, awarded Player of the Match for his remarkable performance, expressed his delight at participating in his first T20 World Cup match since 2021.

Having missed the 2022 tournament due to a back injury, Bumrah appreciated the conducive conditions in New York.

"Coming from India, where the ball doesn't usually seam as much, having conditions with good bounce and pace is always welcomed by bowlers," Bumrah remarked.

Reflecting on his bowling approach, Bumrah highlighted the importance of adaptability in the T20 format.

"You have to be proactive and adjust to the conditions. We learned from our practice game against Bangladesh and understood the nature of the wicket. I focused on sticking to what was working for me," he explained.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by the uneven bounce, Bumrah emphasised the need for bowlers to be prepared for all conditions.

"You have to be ready for anything the pitch throws at you. Despite the uneven bounce, I'm pleased with how I performed," he concluded.