Rohit Sharma says the Indian team is not reading too much into South Africa's surprise defeat in Tuesday’s warm-up game against India ‘A’.
"These are practice games. The teams field their best combination and try out reserves as well. I don't want to read too much into yesterday's result, because every team is trying something or the other (in the warm-up games). It is better that we don't look much into it. They are one of the strongest sides in all formats, not just T20," said Rohit, during a media interaction at the scenic HPCA stadium, in Dharamsala, ahead of Friday’s first T2O International between the teams.
Asked about India not playing enough T2O Internationals, he replied: "I agree that we have not played many T20s as a team, but considering the fact that lot of guys have been playing in the IPL, they are ready. We use that experience (of playing in the Indian Premier League). Having said that, it will be a challenge for us to regroup in the format.
Rohit said the focus is on the ICC World T20, which India will host in five months' time.
"The World Cup is round the corner, so we have to make the most out of T20 games we play from now on. It will be a challenge for them (South Africa) as well, considering they have also not played a lot of T20 Internationals," said the stylish right-hander.
South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis had said he was surprised that the tour opener will played on a fast and bouncy pitch.
Thus, Rohit was asked how India are preparing to face the visitors' pace attack.
"It is not only pace. They have got quality spinners too. They will be effective here. It is better to focus on all aspects," he replied, referring to the Imran Tahir-led spin attack.
He went on to say that frequent overseas tours have helped batsmen tackle pace better.
"The past couple of years we have mostly played outside India. It has given us a lot confidence no matter what the attack is or the conditions are. The tours outside have helped us evolve as batsman."
Talking about Friday’s game, Rohit said the team is better prepared than the South Africans, having come to Dharamsala earlier than scheduled.
"We have gotten used to the conditions. We have come here early, gotten into the group. We have practised really hard in the last few days, working on all departments of the game.
"Plus coming here and playing in such a beautiful venue is wonderful. It is definitely among the top five stadiums in the world. I have not seen anything like this outside India," he said.
Asked about his role in the team, Rohit said he doesn't care about criticism from outside and plays to the side's requirements.
He also spoke about his seam bowling capabilities.
"I definitely wanted to add something to the team. If you bowl a bit, captain has that extra option. The wicket was seaming a lot in Sri Lanka and I thought a bowler who could chip in with three four overs to help the main bowlers. That is how I started to work on my bowling."
On the familiarity between the players of two teams, thanks to the IPL, he said "it works both ways".
"See, honestly, all these guys have played in IPL for last 5-6 years. They have faced our bowlers and vice-versa. It is both ways, both teams are at an advantage and disadvantage. At the end, performance on the day matters."
On the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, he added: "Both captains are different in their nature. How they lead the team. We all know that. I don't see adjusting (to their styles of captaincy) as a problem. Different individuals have different style of handling the team.
"When MS (Dhoni) was captain in all three formats we had huge success. If South Africa have different captains for all three formats, it is a different thought process."
