Indian skipper Rohit Sharma came face to face the media for the first time since the ICC ODI World Cup final on November 19. He also answered on his participation in upcoming T20I World Cup, while asked. Though Indian Captain looked uncomfortable before the question. During the pre-match press conference Rohit said, “I want to play whatever cricket is there in front of me.”
Sharma and Kohli’s last appearance in T20Is was in the T20 World Cup 2022, where India faced elimination in the semifinals against England. Since then, Hardik Pandya has taken charge of the T20I side. They did not play in the T20I series against Australia. Suryakumar Yadav was the captain of the team. Rohit and Kohli were also not in the T20I and ODI squad against South Africa. Since then questions arose on their future of white ball cricket.
India will play two-match Test series against South Africa that begins from December 26 onwards in Centurion. India never won any test series against SA in South Africa since 1992. Rohit said, “Want to achieve what nobody has achieved in this part of the world.”
“These are very important matches in terms of where we stand as a team. Also to look back that we have never won a series here as well, it’s a big opportunity for us to do well here.”
“We came pretty close the last two times when we toured here but again we have come to this place with lot of confidence to try and achieve what nobody (Indian team) has ever achieved in this part of the world.” Rohit Sharma added.
On World Cup final defeat Rohit said, “I don’t know whether a Test series win in South Africa can be a balm for a World Cup final defeat. I mean World Cup is World Cup.” About KL Rahul’s wicket keeping Rohit said, “I am not sure how long KL Rahul would want to keep wickets but he is keen as of now.”
About Mohammed Shami’s injury Indian Skipper added, “Shami will be a big miss for what he has done for us over the years. Someone will fill up the hole but it won’t be easy.”
Noor Kemp
Gavin Fernandez