India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, celebrated the remarkable debut performances in the recently wrapped-up Test series against England, labelling it as one of the most demanding challenges in his Test career.
In an exclusive discussion on Team Ro’s Instagram handle, Rohit emphasized the relentless intensity of a five-match Test series, acknowledging the multitude of hurdles endured throughout one and a half to two months.
Rohit Sharma said: “A five Test match series is always tough, always hard, a lot of challenges through that one and a half to two months that we need to go through. It was a very different experience to play that five Test series and against an opposition like England, we knew it was never going to be easy. We have to be at our best and certainly towards the end, I could say that we are at our best to come out on top on four occasions. So very, very pleased with how we played that series.”
Reflecting on the gruelling nature of the contest against England, Rohit underscored the inherent difficulty posed by such formidable opponents, requiring India to consistently perform at their pinnacle. Despite the formidable opposition, Rohit expressed satisfaction with India’s ability to prevail on four occasions, particularly commending the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.
He further said: “As a captain, the series made me think about a lot of stuff as to what we need to do, how we can stop these guys, how we can put pressure on them. There were a lot of talks behind the scenes. Luckily, I have got a superb support staff around me who are there to help and guide me.”
Furthermore, the series presented Rohit with significant challenges as a captain, which he relished in navigating with innovative solutions. He lauded the emergence of young talent as a standout positive from the series, noting their commendable approach to the game. Despite a setback in the opening Test, Rohit maintained unwavering confidence in his team’s ability to stage a comeback.
For coach Rahul Dravid, he said: “I really enjoyed playing with the youngsters. All of them are very mischievous. I knew most of them well and what their strengths are and how to they want to play the game. It was just me talking to them about how good they are and the good things they have done in the past. The way they responded to me and Rahul bhai (coach Rahul sir) was superb.”
Rohit also shed light on his on-field conversations captured by stump microphones, providing insights into his tactical exchanges. Addressing his infamous altercation, he offered perspective on the incident. Additionally, Rohit proudly acknowledged India’s leadership in the ICC World Test Championship standings and their status as the top-ranked Test team, reflecting the team’s consistent excellence and formidable stature on the global stage.
He concluded by saying: “Having lost the first match it is not easy. Lot of thinking goes in whether you have the right combination. So many questions will creep in. It was important to stay calm and just let it flow. It was important to send the message to the group that we don’t need to panic and there are still four more Test matches to go.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
