Former India coach Abhishek Nayar has shared that Rohit Sharma worked very hard on his fitness before the upcoming ODI series against Australia to silence all his critics who have been talking about his fitness in recent times. He added that his focus was on improving his physical structure and mobility. However, he will play in the upcoming three-match ODI series vs Australia. Although Rohit has been retained in the Indian squad, Shubman Gill will lead the team.
On the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues,’ Nayar said, “The thought process was to do something different. Since we had time on our hands, it was not about maintaining but about growth, growth in regards to his physical structure, growth in regards to his movements, you know, how he viewed himself and how he looked in front of the mirror.”
“Also, being in a place where he felt fitter and felt like he could move faster and swifter on the field, even with the bat. The 12 weeks were more about making a difference when people viewed him. You know, lots of talk about him putting on weight and a few images of him coming out of the airport,” he further added.
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“So it was about changing all of that, and in a lot of ways, to be healthier, faster, and fitter. That’s where the journey started. 12 weeks, a lot of hard work, and a lot of perseverance, not only in regards to three-three hours of training, but also his food and his habits around that. It’s been a lot of sacrifices that have transformed him into this mean machine, if I could say so,” he shared.
However, Abhishek Nayar also opined on Rohit Sharma’s targets in the ODI series against Australia.
“I think he will look at this series as yet another opportunity to go out there in Indian colors and make an impact, do what he has done so successfully over the years, and make a difference in the Indian team,” he replied. “Whether he is captain or not, that will never change the way he plays for this team and for his teammates. I think his immediate goal is clear and simple – make an impact, win games for Team India, and continue being Rohit Sharma,” Abhishek Nayar concluded.
