India’s newly-appointed captain of the limited-overs format, Rohit Sharma opined on India’s dismal record in ICC competitions since 2013, but believes that they haven’t done wrong in the mega-events as well. He again said that India have failed to register the “extra inch” of success in the last seven ICC events and six of which ended at a losing cause in finals or semi-finals as well.
Rohit Sharma replaced Virat Kohli as full-time white-ball captain this week. He has been given the responsibility of making the team perform to its highest level in at least the next two World Cups in the upcoming two years.
While speaking in this regard to BCCI.tv, Rohit Sharma said: “The last ICC trophy we won was in 2013. Since then we haven’t won but I don’t [think] we did anything wrong after that Champions Trophy. We played as a team, performed as a team, it’s just that we couldn’t get that extra inch that we always look forward to. That can happen, you know, international cricket is very demanding. But that is the challenge. We are all professionals and we need to put the right step forward and make sure that we try and count and put all those things in the right bag…”
Goals & excitement 👍
Working with Rahul Dravid 👌@imVkohli's legacy as India's white-ball captain 👏#TeamIndia's new white-ball captain @ImRo45 discusses it all in this special feature for https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ 👍 👍Watch the full interview 🎥 🔽https://t.co/JVS0Qff905 pic.twitter.com/kFlqZxWh5t
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2021
India’s last ICC title win came under MS Dhoni way back in the 2013 Champions Trophy. After that, both Dhoni and Virat Kohli failed to take the team to the finish line thrice each. The latest was India’s group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE which left many shocked and the team’s pressure management came under the scanner.
We have to win championships- Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, who has won the record five titles in the IPL, was given the responsibility of the limited-overs format. Moreover, the BCCI has named Rahul Dravid the new head coach after Ravi Shastri’s tenure ended with the T20 World Cup 2021. Rohit, however, has opined on his leadership as well.
He added: “Yeah, there are a lot of World Cups coming up and India will definitely be eyeing to do well in all those World Cups for sure. Our focus, yes of course we have to win championships but there’s a process that we need to follow as a group because you know, if you want to win the championships there are a lot of other things that you need to first take care of then focus on the end goal. Again, from me, the message to the boys will be to not think about the finals and all of that, just focus on the process which is important, to keep ticking the small boxes that are in front of us and then we’ll look at what’s our end goal.”
Rohit Sharma (in BCCI app) said "There are lots of World Cup coming, India will be eying for sure but there is a process to follow & then focus on the end goal. We need to do lots of right things & I don't think we didint do much wrong from 2014, just need to go that extra inch".
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 13, 2021
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s journey as a captain has started with a 3-0 win over New Zealand last month. His next assignment will be against South Africa.
Get the latest cricket news here and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.