Rohit Sharma's clear-cut message to Indian players for T20 World Cup, says 'It's ideal to get off social media'

Batting maestro Rohit Sharma has a piece of advice for India players heading into the T20 World Cup 2026. Rohit, who led India to T20 World Cup 2024 title glory, remains a staunch advocate for blocking out the persistent 'noise' generated by social media. In a recent interview with JioHotstar ahead of the upcoming tournament hosted in India, Rohit emphasised the importance of mental clarity. He shared that he personally chooses to disconnect from the mindless chatter online to maintain his focus on the game.

It is ideal to get off social media: Rohit Sharma's message to India players

While Rohit maintains this disciplined approach for himself, he clarified that he does not force his personal habits on the rest of the squad. He understands that each player has their own way of handling the spotlight and chooses not to impose a social media ban on his teammates, instead leading by example as they prepare to defend their title on home soil.

“It is ideal to get off social media. I still stay away. I get news from outside that this happened or that happened and I love it. I did it during the 2023 World Cup as well. Before asking anyone else, I had to do it myself,” Rohit said.

Although Hitman has adopted a personal policy of staying away from social media to avoid unnecessary distractions, he has notably chosen not to impose this as a formal rule for the rest of the Indian team. He treats the decision to disconnect as a deeply personal one, recognising that each player has a different relationship with digital platforms and the "chatter" that comes with them.

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During the 2023 World Cup, Rohit even discussed the possibility of a team-wide social media ban with then-coach Rahul Dravid. Ultimately, they decided against it, with Dravid advising that such a move should remain a matter of individual choice. Despite the lack of a formal mandate, several players voluntarily followed Rohit’s lead, contributing to the tight-knit and focused environment that helped India dominate much of that tournament.

“But I didn’t go and discuss this with anyone. Rahul bhai (Rahul Dravid) and I were discussing whether we should speak to the team about it. Rahul bhai said, ‘I don’t know if it’s the right thing. It’s very personal. You take the call.’ So, I let it go. But a lot of the boys also suggested, ‘Let’s do it.’ I won’t take names, but two or three guys came and told me this. That’s why, if you see, the 2023 World Cup was one of our best campaigns, not just because of what we did on the field, but also off it,” Rohit added.

“We stayed together for those 45 days. We spent a lot of time together, doing various activities, pulling each other’s leg and giving fielding medals. The fielding medal was introduced during that World Cup. We did all these interesting things, it was a lot of fun and that reflected on the ground,” he further stated.

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I want the team to be seen as a very classy team: Rohit Sharma

The former captain, who boasts an impressive legacy of leading India to three major white-ball finals and securing two titles, including the prestigious Champions Trophy, is now leveraging that experience to shape the current squad. His proven track record in high-pressure tournaments provides him with a unique perspective on what is required to reach the pinnacle of international cricket.

As the team prepares for their upcoming title defense, he has taken a proactive role in establishing the fundamental ground rules for the players. By drawing on the strategies that led to his past successes, he aims to instill a disciplined and focused culture within the locker room, ensuring the squad is mentally and tactically prepared to retain their championship status.

“I want the team to be seen as a very classy team. When you play on the ground, people should know that it’s the Indian team. So, behave, and carry yourself well on the ground. These were the things I was always very particular about and I always spoke about them before talking about field placements or what to do in batting, bowling, etc. I felt you have to carry yourself well because you’re playing a World Cup, you’re playing in India, everyone’s watching you and we need to be ambassadors for the country. So, be the best version of yourself on the ground because you’re playing for a country that has such a rich legacy in this game. Performances, winning, losing, all of that will happen later. But most importantly, I think we need to carry ourselves well on the ground and then block the outside noise, create your own bubble. Nothing should come inside, no voices, nothing,” Rohit concluded.