India will have to fight hard to bounce back in this ongoing ODI series against South Africa. The hosts lost the first ODI by an agonisingly-close margin and India's star batsman Rohit Sharma feels that they cannot repeat the same mistakes time and again.
Consistency will be the key to success, not only against against South Africa, but also against other teams in near future, felt the Mumbai Indians hitman.
"Things like this can happen but there are no excuses. We want to strive hard as a team. If we want to be the No.1 team we cannot commit these kinds of mistakes. I hope we won't keep repeating the same mistakes, that's what a champion side doesn't do. We all are mature enough to go handle such situations," Rohit told the reporters at a press conference on Tuesday in Indore ahead of the second ODI.
Rohit also stressed on the lack of match-finishing abilities. He is well aware of the fact that the Indian fans blamed MS Dhoni after he failed to take his side over the line in the first ODI. Rohit stated that the players in the side are mature and they will surely bounce back strongly in this ongoing ODI series.
The India opening batsman also seemed to be concerned with the death bowling of the side. They leaked 100 runs in the last 10 overs during the first ODI and that simply cannot happen again.
"It's [death bowling] a concern, there is no doubt about it. We cannot run away from that but when you are bowling to a player like De Villiers you need to be extra smart, and be more proactive. It's a concern but all the bowlers are working on it. In the last few games, not only against South Africa but in Bangladesh and Australia as well we made small, small mistakes in the last five overs," Rohit added.
Rohit also backed his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, who is going through a lean patch in this series. He has been throwing his wicket away too easily. Rohit opined that Dhawan will come good soon, while asking the fans to be patient.
"Shikhar was the highest run getter for us in the World Cup. He was the highest run getter in Bangladesh. A couple of games shouldn't be a worry," Rohit said.
