Table of Contents
Rohit Sharma fumed at a journalist’s question during Tuesday’s press conference in Kandy, where Indian cricket team chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
On being asked about the buzz and the public perceptions created during the India-Pakistan matches, Rohit warned the journalist not to ask such questions.
“How many times do I say this? Whatever happens outside doesn’t affect us. Our job is something else. Our job isn’t to understand the “environment” outside or play according to it. All players are professionals. All these players have seen this already. It doesn’t make a huge difference,” he said.
Also Read: Which IPL team has most members in India squad for ODI World Cup? 2 teams have zero players
‘I won’t answer these questions’
Rohit sternly warned the journalist not to ask such questions again and clarified that their focus as a team is on something else.
“And don’t ask me these questions at the World Cup, when we do a press conference in India – “This environment, that” etc. I won’t answer these questions. Because it doesn’t make sense to keep talking about it. Our focus is something else, and we would like to, as a team, focus on that particular thing,” he added.
‘We want to create batting depth’
Rohit also focussed on the importance of creating batting depth in the team, which can prove crucial in important game moments.
“We need to create depth which we have been lacking in the last few years and we want to create batting depth, and it shows how important a job it is. If we talk about batting, then number 8 and 9 become crucial,” he further mentioned.
The team management has shown faith in the current Asia Cup squad as only two players- Prasidh Krishna and Tilak Verma are not named in the World Cup squad. India has successfully qualified for the Super 4 stage in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The super 4 fixtures will begin from Wednesday, September 6.
