ICC World Cup 2023: 'We just need to...' Rohit Sharma explains how they can beat Pakistan

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After playing the lead role in India's eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023, captain Rohit Sharma has switched his focus to the big India vs Pakistan match and shared his mantra on how the Indian cricket team is prepared for the big game.

"For us it is crucial that we don't worry about external factors and just look at things we can control. We just need to show up and do well (against Pakistan)," Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation ceremony in New Delhi.

"Things like what the pitch is like, what combo we can play is what we can control. What happens outside we won't be worried about it. It is just about focusing on what we can do as players and how we can perform."

Rohit said absorbing pressure was a key factor in the first game for India in this World Cup. After being reduced to 5/3, India defeated Australia in the first match by six wickets to stamp their authority.

"We have got guys who can play fearless cricket with bat and guys who can absorb like the last game. It is about absorbing pressure and taking the right decision on the field," Rohit said. "There will be a spell from the opposition where you will have to absorb pressure. Leading up to the tournament, we had played such games.

"We have got players with different skill sets in our team. They bring different attributes of the game to the team and it puts you in good positions as a team when you have that."

Rohit on Wednesday recorded the most number of centuries in World Cup history, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar during his magnificent 131 against Afghanistan in New Delhi. He also went past West Indies Chris Gayle (553 sixes across formats) to record the most sixes in international cricket across formats.

"I knew once I got my eye in, the wicket was going to get easier for me. (It is) something that I have been working on from a long time," he said. "It is a special feeling to get a World Cup hundred. (I am) really happy with that. Don't want to think too much; I don't want to lose my focus."

Rohit said it was crucial to convert a start into a big score with a fearless approach. "You need to make such things count. You got to make it big. Some of it (the shots) is premeditated. I let my instincts take over at times, sometimes it really works well," he said.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said his side wanted to reach 300 but failed to do so as they lost too many wickets in the middle.

"We had (it) in mind that India's batting line-up is long, (a total of) 300 was on our mind but unfortunately we lost too many wickets. The surface was good. We wanted to score more runs and put pressure on the opposition. Back-to-back wickets was the reason didn't score more runs," he said.

"After losing three wickets, I was talking to Azmatullah (that we must not) don't worry about dots, we will convert later. Our aim was to build a partnership."

With inputs from PTI