Refusing to get swayed away by the hype after dismissing Sachin Tendulkar, Haryana's young all-rounder Mohit Sharma today said the plan was to "make him play" as much as possible in his side's much-awaited opening fixture of this season's Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai here.
The retiring Tendulkar was the talking point in the run-up to the game until the veteran's timber was disturbed by the 25-year-old Chennai Super Kings seamer. Tendulkar fell for five.
"I was not thinking that this was his last (Ranji) match. I just concentrated on bowling wicket to wicket as the plan was to make him play, look to hit the seam. That way it's not easy for a new batsman on this wicket," Mohit told reporters after the first day's play here at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium.
The unassuming lad was obviously delighted at the way things panned out for him. Apart from taking the wickets of Tendulkar and Abhishek Nayar, Mohit used his willow to good effect, top-scoring (49) in Haryana's pathetic display of 134 all out.
"It feels great...I am very happy. It was a great opportunity for me in my life as one rarely gets to dismiss Sachin bhai," he said.
Asked what was going on in the dressing room, he said, "We were told that 'don't look at who is batting, just focus on your strengths...What we have been doing for 8-10 years'."
He also mentioned that there was no special preparations for the match.
"Every player wants to do well, they enter a match with specific plans. We were prepared like we are normally for other big matches," said Mohit.
