Hyderabad is second home to Mumbais middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma. His grandfather hails from Andhra Pradesh and his mother tongue is Telugu. Whats more,the Uppal Stadium has been the luckiest ground for the 21-year-old youngster. So,he obviously carried pleasant memories when Sharma entered the practice session on the eve of the Ranji Trophy final to be played against Uttar Pradesh. Whenever I hear we are playing at Hyderabad,it is sheer happiness because this ground had been lucky for me, Sharma said after a brief knocking session. Sharma came into limelight after scoring consistently for Deccan Chargers in the inaugural Indian Premier League. Just a few months ago,Sharma had slammed a brilliant hundred for Board Presidents XI against Australia. I dont know but somehow things go right for me here whenever Im out of form or not in touch and we have traveled here,I have regained my form on this ground, he explains. His stint goes back to 2006 during his debut first-class season for Mumbai. Despite regular appearances for India A,Sharma had failed badly in his first two Ranji Trophy matches. His pride was at stake then,especially since he was the only batsman to play India A before playing Ranji Trophy then. It was only after Mumbai traveled to Hyderabad to play their league game that Sharma got his form back. He got out cheaply in the first innings but the second innings saw him strike a blistering 96,though Mumbai lost that match. That innings gave me an important boost,since my name was at stake especially when I had traveled to Australia and other places. After scoring here,I went on to slam my first double hundred. But I think that 100 against Australia will always be special, he says. Sharma,though,realises that one cant always rely on luck. As Mumbai gear up for an exciting encounter against UP,Sharma feels that only hard work can help him stay at the crease. When you come out to bat,you will be thinking that this is my favourite ground and I will score runs easily,which can lead to complacency. I dont want such things to happen to me. Let me go and play the same way I play elsewhere, Sharma said.
