IND vs ENG, 1st ODI: Important to focus on present challenge without dwelling about past, says Rohit Sharma
IND vs ENG, 1st ODI: Important to focus on present challenge without dwelling about past, says Rohit Sharma
“What kind of question was that?” a startled Rohit Sharma shot back as he was asked about his slump in form in red-ball cricket and how he feels to be back playing ODIs – a format he has dominated throughout his career – after a while?
The Indian captain, who has been under scanner, following a string of low scores in the Test series against New Zealand and Australia, took some time to gather his thoughts and then replied with a sheepish smile, “This is a different format, different time…”
With India playing an ODI at home for the first time since the 2023 World Cup, the expectations are high, and with the Champions Trophy nearing, it’s also an opportunity for Rohit and Virat Kohli to strike form.
“As usual, as cricketers, we know there will be ups and downs and I have faced a lot in my career, so this is nothing new to me,” Rohit said, adding: “We know every day is a fresh day, every series is a fresh series. So yeah, I am looking forward to the challenge, not looking at what has happened in the past…”
Last year was quite eventful for Rohit as he guided India to a T20 World Cup title in June, breaking the title jinx. However, by the end of the year, things changed for him and the team as they drew flak for losing two consecutive Test series.
However, Rohit isn’t dwelling on the past. “There is no reason to look behind too much. A lot of good things have happened as well. So, I must focus on what is coming up and what lies ahead for me. It is as simple as that,” he said.
As the conversation progressed, the captain was asked about Mohammed Shami, who returned to the Indian team for the T20Is against England after fourteen months, and he backed the pacer.
“He has not played cricket for 1 or 1.5 years. So don’t judge a player so soon. He has been playing cricket for the last 10-12 years. He has performed for the team. You can see how he has bowled in the World Cup. So, in domestic cricket, if you don’t get the (wickets), it doesn’t mean that the bowler is bad,” Rohit said.
Shami missed out on the Test series against Australia but played a Ranji Trophy game and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal, before the India call-up.
“He has bowled so many wickets and won so many matches. So think about all these things. It is equally important for you as well as for us. Because we only see what has happened recently. But we don’t see what a person has done for a long time. Our memory is short,” Rohit said.
“We don’t think much about what he has done in the last few years or what he did 6-8 months ago. We only see what has happened recently, or what has happened in the last series. In the World Cup, everyone knows how he has bowled. He has single-handedly won matches, with five-wicket hauls. So, if one or two matches or a series goes bad, it doesn’t mean that the player is bad,” he added.
