NEW DELHI: From missing out on 2011 World Cup berth to becoming the highest run-scorer in the 2019 edition to captaining the team this year, life has come full circle for skipper Rohit Sharma.
As the ‘Hitman’ gets set to marshal his troops in the cricketing extravaganza, slated for October-November in India, the 36-year-old went down the memory lane, recalling his non-inclusion in the 2011 squad.
Rohit recalled how all-rounder Yuvraj Singh helped him out during the tough phase and asked him to put the setback aside and work hard on his game.
“I was sad and sitting in my room and didn’t know what to do next. I remember Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) calling me to his room and taking me out for dinner. He explained to me how it feels when you are left out. He told me, ‘the best thing is that you have so many years in-front of you. As we play in the World Cup, you take this chance to work hard on your game, skills and make a comeback. There is no way that you won’t play for India or not get a chance to play in the World Cup’,” Rohit recalled.
“I went back to the drawing board, worked hard and immediately after the World Cup, I made a comeback and it has been good since then. Since this is me, who has gone through this emotion, no one can tell me that “easier said than done”. I have faced exclusion in a World Cup, and I know how it exactly feels,” added Rohit.
In the 2019 edition, Rohit scored 648 runs in the 9 World Cup matches, finishing as the leading run-scorer of the tournament.
In the run-up to the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup, India will be playing the Asia Cup, starting August 30, which will be followed by the ODI series against Australia.
(With inputs from PTI)
As the ‘Hitman’ gets set to marshal his troops in the cricketing extravaganza, slated for October-November in India, the 36-year-old went down the memory lane, recalling his non-inclusion in the 2011 squad.
Rohit recalled how all-rounder Yuvraj Singh helped him out during the tough phase and asked him to put the setback aside and work hard on his game.
“I was sad and sitting in my room and didn’t know what to do next. I remember Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) calling me to his room and taking me out for dinner. He explained to me how it feels when you are left out. He told me, ‘the best thing is that you have so many years in-front of you. As we play in the World Cup, you take this chance to work hard on your game, skills and make a comeback. There is no way that you won’t play for India or not get a chance to play in the World Cup’,” Rohit recalled.
“I went back to the drawing board, worked hard and immediately after the World Cup, I made a comeback and it has been good since then. Since this is me, who has gone through this emotion, no one can tell me that “easier said than done”. I have faced exclusion in a World Cup, and I know how it exactly feels,” added Rohit.
In the 2019 edition, Rohit scored 648 runs in the 9 World Cup matches, finishing as the leading run-scorer of the tournament.
In the run-up to the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup, India will be playing the Asia Cup, starting August 30, which will be followed by the ODI series against Australia.
(With inputs from PTI)
