'Opening gets the best out of me' - Rohit

India batsman Rohit Sharma believes opening improves his game and has welcomed competition for that spot in the ODI side. Since Rohit was sidelined with finger and shoulder injuries in September, Ajinkya Rahane has stepped in and has performed well at the top.

"Competition will always be good for the game," Rohit told DNA. "Guys will try harder and produce good results. Personally, I am not even thinking (about competition) as I have a lot of other things to do like get fit first and work my way back onto the field."

Rahane was "very well-suited to do the opening job" according to his captain MS Dhoni. He has occupied that position for a majority of his domestic career and a collected a maiden ODI century in England as well. Rohit, though, was converted into an opening batsman in January 2013 and the move brought about resurgence in his career. He averages 43.20 from 39 innings as opener compared to an average of 31.72 in 79 innings at other positions.

"As an opener, you have to be a little more cautious with the two new balls moving around," he said. "The ball does quite a bit. While opening, you have to be extra focused. Being cautious has helped my batting. It's not that when you bat in the middle order, there is no challenge or you have to be a little less cautious, but opening has helped get the best out of me."

Rohit's primary focus at the moment is on recuperating. He had to miss the Champions League T20 and the ongoing West Indies ODIs, but is hopeful of playing the Tests and the one-day tri-series with England and Australia in Australia before the World Cup.

"Finger is fine. I am feeling well. It's almost 70-80% healed. It is in the last stage of healing. I am going to start gripping my bat from tomorrow (Friday)."