Chennai, Dec 10: Rookie leg-spinner Rahul Sharma feels hard work and long sessions with India team's bowling coach Eric Simmons has helped him a lot going into his maiden international match.
"I have been interacting with Eric Simmons regarding variations and that has helped me a lot. I am also learning a lot while playing alongside Ashwin. I hope to improve with experience," the lanky Sharma, who had impressive figures of three for 43 against West Indies at Indore, told reporters in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
When asked about his assessment on the nature of the strip, the spinner said, "It looks like a turning track. I would definitely like to do well again and ensure a 4-1 series victory for us."
For nearly two months, Sharma has been a mere passenger as he didn't get to play a single ODI or T20 against England. He was in the sidelines for the Test series against the Windies and was also not in the scheme of things for the first three ODIs.
"I wasn't disheartened at all. I spent a lot of time in the nets and worked on various technical aspects that I needed to work on."
With the series already in pocket, the Indians had an optional net session on the eve of their fifth and final ODI on Sunday.
Most of the players barring a few like Suresh Raina were confined to their hotel rooms. Stand-in captain Virender Sehwag, who scored an epic 219 in the fourth ODI, arrived in the evening as he was given a day off to spend some time with his family back in Delhi.
Regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also in the city to attend the BCCI Annual Awards Function.
Meanwhile, West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who waged a lone battle with a knock of 96 in Indore the other night, felt that his experience of playing at Chepauk during the Champions League Twenty20 will come in handy.
"From what we saw in the recent Champions League matches, the pitch will be a bit slow and help the spinners. The first 15 overs will be critical, in terms of getting a good start."
Ramdin feels that his team can gather hope from the fact that save the last match, they competed well in the other matches.
"We have shown a lot of character in the series where a couple of matches could have gone either way. We have played well, but some areas didn't show up. We hope to put up a fight on Sunday and make it 3-2 which is better than 4-1," he said.
Ramdin informed that there are no injury worries and everyone is expected to be fit for the game on Sunday.
"There are no injury worries for us except that a couple of the players have niggles, but our physio is working on them and I expect everyone to be fit for selection on Sunday," said Ramdin.
