Mumbai: India clinched a commanding 4-1 series triumph against England, sealing a resounding win at Dharamshala by an innings and 64 runs against Ben Stokes and his team on Saturday.
Rohit Sharma, initially starting the series on a modest note, concluded the five-match series with almost 400 runs to his credit.
The 36-year-old opened up about his retirement plans, expressing that he would consider hanging up his boots when he no longer feels up to the task. However, he emphasized that he has been showcasing his best cricket in recent years.
As reported by the media, during a candid interview, the captain of the Indian cricket team shed light on this matter.
Rohit Sharma on his Retirement
“I think if one day if I wake up and feel I’m not good enough, I’m not feeling good enough to play the sport. I’ll just talk it out and let them know about it.”
“But honestly, I feel in the last two or three years my cricket has actually gone up and I’m playing the best cricket,” the Indian skipper said.
Rohit attributed India’s comprehensive victory over England to the collective performance of the team, acknowledging that numerous factors must align for such remarkable triumphs.
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“When you win a Test like this, everything has to fall in place. At some stage, people are gonna go and people are gonna come and we know that,” Rohit said.
He commended the young players for their resilience, highlighting their pivotal roles in India’s series comeback after losing the first game.
“These (young) guys are maybe short of experience, they have played a lot of cricket and I can stand here and see that these guys responded pretty well under pressure. The credit goes to the entire team and it was pleasing to see.”
Rohit lamented the brevity of the South Africa series preceding England’s tour, noting India’s tendency to start slowly in Test series before finding their stride.
“We typically lose the first Test and then improve in the subsequent matches, so I was disappointed that we only played a two-match Test series in South Africa,” said Rohit.
The veteran batsman praised his bowlers for their outstanding performance throughout the series, with spinners playing a crucial role.
“When you win a series like this, we talk about scoring runs and 100s but it is important to take 20 wickets to win a Test. The way bowlers took responsibility was pleasing to see,” Rohit added.
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Not too Stat-Driven: Rohit’s Approach to Cricket
Kuldeep Yadav emerged as a standout performer with his crafty spin troubling English players consistently. Rohit acknowledged Kuldeep’s resurgence, especially after his injury, and highlighted his commendable batting contributions.
“After his injury, he came back and worked at the NCA and he is putting a lot of effort and the most pleasing thing was his batting,” Rohit said.
Rohit emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of playing cricket devoid of statistical pressures, focusing more on clarity and freedom in players’ approaches.
“I’m not too much of a stat person who looks into numbers and all of that. Yes, scoring big runs, those numbers are important, but eventually, there is a culture of playing cricket in this team that I was focusing on and I am still focusing on,” he said.
He encouraged players to focus on the game rather than obsessing over personal statistics, asserting that a clear mind and fearless approach will naturally lead to desirable outcomes.
“Enjoy the surroundings. Enjoy the atmosphere within the group. Enjoy the camaraderie that we’ve created now within the group. That is what it is. For me, that’s the most important,” he concluded.
