'I had to hit from word go,' says Rohit Sharma after India outplay Afghanistan in T20 World Cup

"Getting to a respectable total was important, and the NRR could come into play so we had to win by a good margin. Today it was necessary to get off to a good start, and that is not my natural game. I usually like to get in. So, I made an effort to settle in, play cricketing shots, and put up a big total," he said at the post-match press conference.

Rohit cracked 74 runs off 47 balls in an innings studded with 8 fours and 3 sixes and knit a 140-run opening stand with KL Rahul, which provided ammunition for Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya to launch an blistering assault in the death overs.

Rohit said the idea was to go after the bowlers and get off to a good start, which didn't happen in the first two games and lay the platform for others.

"Rahul batted exceptionally well and partnership for first wicket was crucial," he said.

The 34-year-old admitted that the Abu Dhabi surface was much better for batsmen than their last two matches in Dubai.

"We were prepared to field first, and it was a good pitch to bat on," Rohit said.

India need to play aggressive cricket and hope for other results to go in their favour so as to qualify for semifinals.

India takes on Scotland in Dubai on Friday.