The ODI series between India and Sri Lanka is going to commence on Sunday. The last time both the teams locked horns for an ODI series, India whitewashed the Islanders by 5-0 in Agust earlier this year.
The Lankan team will now be looking to save their pride in upcoming series, especially after their stubborn batting display in the Delhi Test. However, this time around, the men in blue will be lead by Rohit Sharma as Virat Kohli has taken a rest from the limited-overs series.
On Saturday, ahead of the first ODI, Rohit addressed a press-conference in Dharamsala. Talking about Jasprit Bumrah’s maiden Test call-up, he said, “It is a great boost for him to be part of the Test team. He was looking forward to it. It is all the reward for what he has done in the ODIs and T20Is. Over the last year or so, how he has improved on his bowling and fitness. He has played with me in Mumbai and I have seen him grow every game. He comes up with new strategies and new plans.”‘
He further added, “Being focused and disciplined in terms of his work ethic and that is what is giving him the results on the field. After the one and a half month break, he is looking a lot fresher. He has worked upon his body at NCA and is much rejuvenated now.”
When asked about teh feeling of leading Team India, Sharma replied, “It will be a different ball game all together. but the process and basics of captaincy of leading any team will remain the same. Having played with these guys for quite sometime, I do understand their strength and weaknesses. I don’t think I need to change anything, I just need to carry from where we left as a team. For me also, I am not going to change a lot, basics of captaincy will remain the same. I will try to stay in present, something I always try to do while captaining.”
Speaking of the team combination, especially in the middle order, Rohit said, “It is important to give these guys a fair number of games before they prove themselves. Guys like Shreyas, Manish, Kedar and DK having gotten number of games on the trot. As a team mnagement, we want to make sure that whoever gets an opportunity, they get a sufficient number of games. And having said that they understand that they need to perform as well as there is a lot of competition in the middle.”
He further elaborated, “They have to grab that opportunity and whoever grabs the opportunity is in the playing 11. It is important for them to understand as well that there are lot of guys waiting to grab the opportunity but we don’t want them to carry any pressure. We just want them to go out on the field and they are not carring any pressure.”
Sharma concluded by talking about his performances in the Test series, he said, “Personally, for me it was important that I had to be ready for an opportunity. In last few years, the combination we have been playing with allowed the captain to go with five bowlers at times and five batsmen at times. I wanted to prepare myself in the manner that I am ready for a game anytime. That’s what happened in Nagpur where I got a game and was ready for it. I don’t want to put pressure on myself and want to enjoy my game.”
