Star India batsman Rohit Sharma, who scored a brilliant hundred on his debut innings as Test opener, has insisted that his plan was to trust his game and abilities and that's what he was able to achieve on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa on Wednesday.
Designated as an opener for the first time in his Test career, Rohit showed all his class and silenced all those who questioned his selection by scoring an unbeaten 115 against the Proteas.
He, along with Mayank Agarwal (84*), took India to 202/0 before stumps were called because of heavy rain that washed away the entire final session on Day 1 at the ACA-VDCA Stadium.
"I wanted to take the opportunity and that's why I made the management aware of it. I am grateful to them for providing me with the opportunity and I am happy I could score runs," Rohit said after the end of the day's play.
During the course of his 174-ball knock, Rohit smashed 12 fours and 5 sixes. However, initially, he batted with caution and respected the Proteas seamers -- Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
Talking about his batting plans in the initial overs, the 32-year-old said that opening suits his game more than coming in the middle-order.
"I think it (opening) just suits my game, just wear the pads and bat. It was a waiting game, when I used to bat at five or six. I won't say it didn't suit my batting. Your mind is fresh, we know we have to play the new ball. You know the bowlers who will bowl the new ball, these will be the fielders, so the game plan is easier for you.
"At number six, the ball is reversing, field placement is different and you need to keep all those things in mind. That game of wearing the pads and going in to bat suits me more."
The Mumbai batsman insisted that he was clear in his mindset as he came out to play.
"I was very clear in my mind what I wanted to do. The new ball will always do a bit in the initial overs -- whether it's red ball or white.
"I have played cricket in India for a long time now and that's why I was aware of the conditions and knew that once you get past the first 10 overs, it becomes difficult to get wickets. And it becomes easier to score runs.
"This was my plan to tackle the new ball and then stick to what I had planned. Backing myself and my game was most important for me because it was all I had in my mind," he added.
