What are your hopes from the upcoming 1st ODI of 3 match ODI series between India and England?
Expectations are high because this is India's first home ODI since the 2023 World Cup, and Rohit and Virat Kohli have a chance to get in form as the Champions Trophy draws closer.
Ankush Pandey
"What was the nature of that question?" A shocked Rohit Sharma responded when asked about his recent slump in red-ball cricket form and how it feels to be playing ODIs again, a format he has dominated throughout his career.
The Indian captain, who has been under pressure after a run of poor Test series results against Australia and New Zealand, paused to collect himself before responding with a sheepish smile, "This is a different format, different time…."
As the Champions Trophy draws closer, Rohit and Virat Kohli will have the chance to get back to their best as India plays an ODI at home for the first time since the 2023 World Cup.
"As cricket players, we are aware that there will be ups and downs, and I have experienced a lot throughout my career, so this is nothing new to me," Rohit stated. "We also know that every day is a new day and every series is a new series." In other words, I am eager for the challenge and am not dwelling on the past.
Rohit had an eventful year last year when he broke the title jinx by leading India to a T20 World Cup victory in June. But by the end of the year, he and the team were under fire for dropping two straight Test series, and things had changed.
Rohit, though, isn't thinking about the past. "There is no justification for looking too far behind. Many positive things have also occurred. I must therefore concentrate on what is approaching and what my future holds. That's how it is," he stated.
The captain supported the pacer when he was questioned about Mohammed Shami, who made his comeback to the Indian squad for the Twenty20 Internationals match against England after a fourteen-month absence.
It has been a year and a half since he last played cricket. Don't make snap judgements about players. He has spent the last ten to twelve years playing cricket. He has given the team a performance. His bowling performance in the World Cup is evident. Therefore, in domestic cricket, a bowler is not necessarily bad if they don't take wickets, Rohit stated.
"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. since we can only see what has recently occurred. But we don't see what a person has done for a long time. Our memory is short," Rohit said. Shami did not play in the Test series against Australia, but he did play in the Ranji Trophy, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal prior to the India call-up.
We don't give much thought to his actions from six to eight months ago or his actions over the past few years. Only recent events or events from the previous series are shown to us. Everyone is aware of his bowling technique from the World Cup. He has taken five wickets and won matches by himself. Therefore, a player is not necessarily bad if one or two games or a series go poorly," he continued.
