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Former India captain Rohit Sharma has made it clear that his drive to play cricket remains the same as it was when he was a 20-year-old. The 38-year-old opener’s chances of playing in the ODI World Cup 2027 on South African soil are often being talked about. Amidst all outside noise, Rohit has indicated that he remains committed to playing the next ODI World Cup, still chasing the dream to win the trophy in the 50-over format.
“Drive and willingness are not just now; it is every time you represent your country. It does not matter if you are 38 or 28," Rohit said in a video posted by the BCCI.
Rohit said that ODI is a mixture of Tests and T20Is and a batter needs to be skillful to perform.
“ODI is a mixture of Test and T20I together. So you have to be skilful enough to go out there and handle both skill sets. Especially for me because I open the batting. When the ball is hard and new, it swings. So you need to bring your Test mindset there and leave as much as you can, play close to your body," said the veteran opener.
Rohit said that he looks at every game as if he is making his debut.
“I started playing at 20. My drive is similar to what it is now. The mindset to give your best, give all that you have, has remained the same," he said.
“I look at every game as making my debut. That is how I train myself," Rohit added.
Rohit’s new ODI opening partner
Rohit will have a new opening partner in ODIs. He will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal who has been waiting in the wings for long. The young southpaw will replace an injured Shubman Gill. The new ODI captain had a neck injury during the Test series, resulting in him getting ruled out of the ODI series.
Rohit’s ODI record against South Africa
Rohit is currently ninth on the list of leading run-scorers in ODIs. He has a good ODI record against South Africa, scoring 893 runs from 20 innings at an average of 49.61. He has two centuries and eight fifties against the Proteas.
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