Rohit Sharma showed his vulnerability and maturity in good measure ahead of the first day of the Test series in Centurion.
He was understandably uncomfortable when talking about life after defeat to Australia in the World Cup final about one and a half months ago.
“If you had a World Cup (like that) until that point, you expect to go an inch further,” he said in a tone of disappointment.”Unfortunately, we could not do it. It was hard for all of us.
“Loss like that is hard. So much happening in life and cricket… you have to find that strength to move away (from the defeat). It takes time, it took time… you have to look forward.”
When suggested that the first-ever series win in South Africa and a World T20 title in West Indies in June next year could act as balm to the World Cup wound, the 36-year-old skipper said he was not sure. “I don’t know if those things (wins) would happen and if those will act as a balm. For, World Cup is World Cup. It’s difficult to compare this series to the World Cup,” he said.
“But winning in South Africa would be nice. Itna mehnat kiya, kuch toh chahiye (we worked so hard, we need positive results). All members are desperate (to win).
“We got all the tools (for succeed). Playing without fear and freely is important, without thinking much about the past and future. It’s a challenge to perform here,” he said. “It’s the hardest place for batters. I look forward to that challenge. Looking forward to doing my job as batter and see where it takes us.”
Rohit has lost not just an opportunity to win a World Cup, he has also lost Mumbai Indians‘ captaincy to Hardik Pandya after leading them to five IPL crowns and winning one with Deccan Chargers too.
He neither showed his acceptance about playing just as a batsman for MI, nor did he spell out his next course of action. “Whatever is in front of me, I will look forward to play,” he said.
In the run-up to the World Cup, whenever India suffered defeats and questions were raised about team’s strategy and combinations, Rohit used to dismiss them as “outside noise”. But when he explained how this team is trying to tide over the World Cup final defeat, the value of some “outsiders” seem to have changed significantly.
“We got a lot of encouragement from the outside world after that final,” said Rohit. “And that motivated me to get up and start my job again.”
