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Rohit Sharma amidst India’s fast-bowling unit’s injury concerns remains focused on making the most out of the resources at hand.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma addresses a press conference on the eve of their one day international (ODI) match against England at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. (Image: AFP)
With so many injury concerns plaguing India’s pace attack, skipper Rohit Sharma does not intend to dwell on the negatives and hopes to maintain focus on the Indian team playing their best brand of cricket.
Ahead of the ODI series against England, Rohit was asked about the risk of injury to their star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. But the captain recalled how the side despite Pandya’s injury went on to remain undefeated in the 2023 ODI World Cup all the way through to the final. Reflecting on this, Rohit emphasised how he does not want to focus on the negatives but rather keep their focus set on playing at their level best and working with the resources available at the moment.
“Why are we thinking about the negatives? That he will get injured, this will happen, that will happen. In the minds of the selectors, there are things in our minds. I can’t say that here. But there are things. We played the World Cup when they got injured. They got injured in the 3rd or 4th match. After that, we played the whole tournament. Although we lost the final, we played good cricket till the final,” Rohit commented.
“So now, I won’t think about what will happen if we get injured. What will happen if this happens, what will happen if that happens? I think you are playing good cricket now. So, we will hope that you keep playing good cricket and nothing happens. Just think that you don’t get injured and stay 100% fit,” he added.
India has already been put on the back foot as they wait on Jasprit Bumrah’s update and availability for the Champions Trophy. Should Hardik Pandya also be injured, India’s fast-bowling unit could take a massive hit and the onus would be on Mohammed Shami to lead the line.
But Shami as well only recently made his return to international cricket and there remain concerns regarding his ability to maintain fitness and find his best form. Despite all these concerns, Rohit does not want to keep his mind on such thoughts but instead make the most of what they have and hope to put in a solid performance.
Rohit will hope that Pandya along with Shami can help make up for the loss of Bumrah for the first two ODIs and also continue to do so should Bumrah not be available for the Champions Trophy as well.
- Location :
Nagpur, India, India