Follow UsThe India team have been undefeated in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, having won 6 out of 6 games, and will face Sri Lanka tomorrow at the Wankhede in Mumbai. Almost everything has gone right in the World Cup for the Men In Blue except Hardik Pandya’s ankle ligament injury in Pune that has now seen him sit out two consecutive games in Dharamshala and Lucknow.
Expectantly, an injury update on Pandya was the first question asked to Rohit Sharma by the press as well. Informing the press about the same, the Indian captain said,
“No, see, his procedure after the injury is very positive. Whatever procedure he had to undergo after the injury and the NCA, there were many positive things. Right now, he is not available for tomorrow's match. But it is an injury that we have to see every day how much percent he has improved, how much recovery has been made, how much bowling has been done, how much batting has been done. So, on a day-to-day basis, we would like to take a call. Because we are watching for the World Cup, obviously, the matches are taking place every 3 - 4 days. We are watching the situation daily. So, it's possible, as he is progressing, it's possible, hopefully, we'll get a chance to see him as soon as possible. That's all I can say for now.”
India will be Sri Lanka in an ODI at the Wankhede for the first time since the 2011 World Cup final, where India became the World Champions after 28 years. The Indians also defeated Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in a one-sided encounter. Speaking on whether the past record of these matches matters to Rohit in this context, he said,
“...speaking of the past, obviously, there's hardly one or two players from their squad, from that team, maybe one guy, Angelo, and same from our side. There are only two guys in the squad. So, I don't think - it's been more than a decade now since that has happened. So, I don't think that is going to be a factor. Every day, you have to turn up, and you have to turn up well, thinking that this is a fresh day, fresh game, fresh opposition.”
Sharma also showed reluctance to use the word ‘upset’ for the situation where Sri Lanka might beat India. He said, “No, look, I think in this World Cup, we have seen a lot of games, a lot of - I wouldn't call it an upset because every team here is to win games, so it's not an upset. But every team is trying to beat the other team, so at no point or no game, you can think that this is a cakewalk for us. It's important that you stay in the present, do your processes, keep working as a team, what you've been doing as a team, focus on all those aspects and as a team, that is what we are trying to do.”
Staying in the present was something that Rohit displayed brilliantly in India’s last game against England, where he adapted to the slow, turning conditions and won the Player of The Match for his innings of 87 in 101 balls. However, some critics and former players pointed out how Rohit hasn’t been able to complete his century despite playing high-impact innings at the top of the order. Rohit responded to all that when asked in the press conference.
“Yes. I'm enjoying my batting. But obviously, keeping the situation of the team in mind, it's not like I just have to go and spin the bat. I have to spin it well, play well and keep the team in a good situation. This is my mindset. When I open, the scoreboard starts from zero. So as a batsman I have to think, I have to set the tone for the game. think as a batsman my focus is on what the team needs at that time. What is needed in the first over, what is needed in the fifth over, what is needed in the tenth over. What is the team's score, how many runs are they chasing, how much score is good on the ground? All these things. I think about all these things when I bat. So whatever situation demands at that time, I try to play according to the situation.”
The Indian skipper was also asked about his captaincy and how he goes about it. Rohit acknowledged the result-oriented judgement that comes with being a captain and spoke about it in his usual laid-back manner.
“It's not my thought process, it's the team's thought process that the guys comply with. When things look good, everything looks good, everything works well. I know how this whole thing works. I'm quite aware of one game here and there, I know suddenly I'll be a bad captain. I know how it works. I try and do what is necessary from the team's perspective and be sure of that.”
Rohit is known for his candid nature during the press conferences. When asked about the Sachin Tendulkar statue that has been unveiled at the Wankhede today, he continued his characteristic nonchalance,
Unveiled 🤩
— ICC (@ICC) November 1, 2023
Sachin Tendulkar inaugurates his statue at the Wankhede Stadium!#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/nXim0rKfUI
“I finished my batting and I came here now. But I'll get a chance to see it properly. Obviously, I haven't even seen the shot yet. It's over cover, is it? Straight lofted shot, yes. Now what should I say in that? Straight lofted shot statue has been made there. It's nice. I hope you guys enjoyed it.”
Recently, Percy Abeysekera, a Sri Lankan cricket mascot and iconic fan who was always seen on the grounds with a Lankan flag in his hands, passed away. Rohit had met him for the first time when he went for the U19 World Cup in 2006. He also met him recently in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup. He expressed his grief and condolences on the passing of Uncle Percy, as he was fondly known amongst cricket circles.
In a sad development, Sri Lanka's uncle Percy has passed away. Rohit Sharma had met him just recently during the Asia Cup. #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/00fx2KgN8s
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) October 30, 2023
“I was lucky to get an opportunity to meet him in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup and he's been such a great fan of cricket. Of course, Sri Lankan team but he's probably the first ever fan that I met, who was so genuine and the support from his side towards his team, towards the players was fantastic to see. When I first went to Sri Lanka in 2006 actually for U19 World Cup, he was there, but I was a little boy, I had no idea about how things work outside cricket field. So, I was not too much into that. But when I went with the Indian team for the first time in 2008, I saw him for the first time then and I saw how passionate he was. I got lucky as well to meet his family, his son, his grandson, their family is very sweet, I went with few of my team members as well. Well yeah, it's a sad loss, you know sad loss to the cricketing fraternity because in my eyes, he was the number one supporter of cricket at that point in time. Obviously, there have been so many fans now, but the first ever fan, cricket fan I saw was him. So yeah, it's a sad moment for all of us.”