Visakhapatnam, Dec 1: Rohit Sharma, hero of the first ODI against West Indies, spoke to the media about India's preparation ahead of the game in Vizag on December 2. The middle-order batsman, who lost his wicket with still a few runs left to score at Cuttack, ensured he would finish the game for India the next time around.

Excerpts from the pre-match press conference:

On the preparation for the second ODI after the close finish in the first match

It was a close game [but] it does not matter. We have won the game; that is more important. Coming back to this game, we need to continue with the momentum. We just need to carry on. We have been preparing well. We just want to go out there and enjoy and keep winning matches.

On the responsibility of finishing a game

I felt very good [about my contribution]. I was a little disappointed at not finishing the game. Winning the game is more important than [one’s individual] score in a losing cause. I never want to do stuff like this again. Leaving 10 runs for the bowlers to finish the game is always difficult. I will make sure it does not happen again […]

On the pitch at Vizag

It's always been a belter of a track as far as my knowledge goes. I've done really well whenever I've played here. Against Australia we chased down 290 with six wickets intact. Vizag has been always been good for us; the wicket has been batsman-friendly. I hope for the best [in the game] tomorrow.

On India’s impeccable record at Vizag

We will keep that record intact. We want to focus on our preparation and we have to take it from there. We don’t want to think too far ahead.

On India's bowling attack

I was watching the highlights [of the previous game]. I saw Ravi Shastri talking about Varun [Aaron] and Umesh [Yadav] very highly. It's good to see two fast bowlers bowling in tandem so long. They have been bowling fast and quick. I hope there is a great future ahead of them. I hope to see them taking wickets and give us early breakthroughs that will set the momentum for us. I would like to wish them best.

On the chase in the first ODI after the loss of five early wickets

It was not an easy situation to be in. They were bowling well. We wanted a partnership and when [Ravindra] Jadeja came in we just spoke about building small partnerships. We scored about 80-90 runs [together] which was really crucial. When Jadeja got out we needed one more small partnership. With dew, it's not going to be easy for the bowlers. We decided on that and did well on that factor.