No time for T20 WC 'dress rehearsal'; we play to win every series: Rohit Sharma

With the long format contest done and dusted, it's now time for India and England to shift the focus to the limited-over series. The five-match T20I series between the two sides will kick off on Friday in Ahmedabad. England are an entirely different, difficult and more settled opposition when it comes to white-ball formats, led by their World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan.

For hosts India, the series will mark the start of their preparations for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup to be held at home in October this year. India, after winning the inaugural edition in 2007, have not had much success in the T20 World Cups, despite the success of the Indian Premier League.

And to replicate the success of 2007, India will be hoping that Rohit Sharma, who has a consistent performer and a threat to the opponents in the shorter formats, fires—starting with the series against England. But skipper Virat Kohli has to figure out who will partner Sharma—Shikhar Dhawan or K.L. Rahul.

Sharma is fresh from a minor battle he won against himself in the recently concluded Test series against England which India won 3-1. He managed to restrain his shot-making and played more balls and spend time in the middle. "It was huge win for me personally. They were bowling outside the off stump, and I wanted to hit a shot but I played with discipline. For me, in Test cricket, the challenge now is how many balls I play; runs will come."

But the T20 series will be a different ball-game altogether. Speaking to the media ahead of the first T20I, Sharma said the series will not be a “dress rehearsal” for the upcoming T20 WC. "We are playing for India. One has to be at it, no matter which opposition you play. It is important to win the series; do our best and not think too far ahead. The future will take care of itself. This is a long series. It is important to see where we stand as a team and as individuals. There is no time for dress rehearsal. Our mindset is to win each and every game we play here."

The national selectors have brought in fresh faces like Surya Kumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan in the series, though it remains to be seen if they will make the playing XI. Sharma, under whom the duo have played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, said, "I don't want them to think about anything. That's how they bring out their best performance. Having watched them closely for few years now, I have seen that it is important for them to come here, be part of this wonderful team and the great set-up which the team has. I want them to just have fun, understand what this team is all about. It's their first time in the squad; they will be a little nervous thinking of their performances, but it's important for me and other senior members in the team to tell them that this is just another team you have to be part of and so, enjoy the moment. It won't be easy. You will be challenged every now and then, but how you respond to it is crucial."

For Kishan, the biggest challenge would be to find a foothold in the team that has explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and part-time wicketkeeper and specialist batsman Rahul. Pant, who was dropped from the ODI side, is high on form and confidence, and is likely to get the nod ahead of others. Sharma said that the pressure on Pant to deliver in the white-ball formats has been more external than from within the team. "Let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant. He will come out and give you those performances. I have said it earlier also, leave Rishabh alone. He can only go from strength to strength from here; there is no looking back for him. He has done exceptionally well in past few months, from Australia tour onwards to the one we played just now against England. He has performed really well and I don't see anything stopping him unless we try and put pressure on him. We, as in you guys (the media) trying to put pressure on him."

Sharma gave full marks to the efforts made by Pant in past few months to improve his game. "He likes to enjoy his game. You must have seen on the ground how he likes to play his game. That is what we, as a team, expect from him. The good thing is that he is starting to understand the game situations. For someone like him, to go and play according to it, is something he can tick in his personal box. He has looked good in all departments. This is another series which will take his confidence higher and we should let him be. Allow him to play with freedom. It's important for someone like him. Are you (media) prepared to do the same?"

Another player on whom all eyes will be on is Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder has been with the team for over six weeks but is yet to take the field. Sharma sounded positive about Pandya's readiness, though. "It's been a good month and a half since he has been with the team. What he needed to do was to improve his skills which he has done. He is ready and you will see that on March 12. He has worked hard on his batting and bowling. What the team expects him to do, he is ready to do that."