The monkey is not likely to be dropped any time soon. Releasing the ICC trophy, which has been an albatross for Indian cricket for over a decade, may have happened a couple of months ago on the beaches of Barbados, but all these does not mean that Rohit Sharma & Co. can start relaxing.
The captain has faced pressure for quite some time now and naturally he understands that all these will not stay for long, once any result for which it is all done, does not go well.
“I have no idea how it works for other countries, but for India, it is a different chocolate altogether. If there is no winning of the bilateral series against Bangladesh, we know how it goes. The (negative) chatter will begin to emerge once again. So for us, it can never be that okay now that we have won an ICC trophy, it is time to sit back and take it easy,” Rohit said ahead of a practice session at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Tuesday.
On Thursday, the first Test match will resume with Bangladesh. It is the first leg of the journey for India aiming for the berth in the WTC Final.
Rohit understands better than anyone that he cannot afford to waste time – he is now 37 years old – and perhaps this could be his last opportunity to gain the WTC crown.
‘For us cricketers, we have a limited period in which to play the sport, achieve something in the game. So, let me say we should all work to our optimum best, possibly try and win everything available, that is before you,’ the captain said.
Similar to how the WTC Final tune was constant throughout the interaction, so were the talks of the Australia series that loomed closer. However, Rohit would make it a point to keep showing people that it is necessary to focus on the present and not look forward to the future.
‘It does not really make a difference where we play in two months time and why not win here and now. Cricket – two months break is a longer period in today’s calendar. More so when you have everyone back and the season is starting,’ Rohit explained.
It is the peripheral elements that have changed in the last few years considering that the basic fabric of the Indian team has not undergone radical changes and stayed put. Rahul Dravid was somebody with whom Rohit used to bond very well but he is no more there as it is Gautam Gambhir who is the head now.
The new coach, accompanied by his new support colleagues of Abhishek Nayar, Morne Morkel and Ryan ten Doeschate, came with different ideologies, and this time, it is the turn of the Indian captain to fall in line.
“Over the years, I know Gautam and Abhishek quite well. I have had very intense cricket with Morne. As for Ryan, after what I felt in Sri Lanka’s games recently I think that he is a pretty mature and understanding person. That said, these people will be a little different from Rahul bhai, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey. They will have a different style of managing the team in which having played for 17 years under various coaches, I am aware of. As a customer, you must appreciate every coach comes in with a different set of imaginations and techniques. So it is very important for you to adjust,” Rohit taved.
The right hander from Mumbai was fairly relaxed when it came to most issues, except perhaps for a little history with Bangladesh, which seemed to go back to the ODI world cup in 2015 where he shone. The captain was asked about the opposition and remarked, “Look, all the teams are after India’s blood. Let them enjoy it, the task at hand is to win the game. When England came, they too had their mouth full of talks in the press conferences. But we did not pay attention to that.”
