Rohit Sharma addressed the speculation around his international future and called it “noise” as he showcased his batting credentials in the series decider against England at Lord’s on Sunday. Speaking after his magnificent hundred, Rohit said that such noise has persisted from the very beginning of his international career and he doesn’t pay much heed to such talks.
“Look, my job is with the bat. Come and play, represent my country, represent the team,” Rohit told bcci.tv after the third ODI. “That’s what I’ve been told to do since I made my debut. So that’s what I’m going to do. You know, the noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I’m going to stay here, it’s always going to be there. So it doesn’t really matter too much.
“What matters is what I do on the field: try and contribute to the success of the team. That’s all my focus is right now. And let the noise be there. You know, [if] there’s no noise, there’s no fun. My job is inside, their job is outside. So that’s how I look at it.”
Midway through the second ODI between India and England at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff was when a report emerged from The Indian Express, suggesting that the Lord’s ODI might turn out to be the last of Rohit’s international career. The news spread like wildfire, and the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had to make an appearance in the media and clear the air.
Also read: Rohit Sharma’s blazing hundred allays fears of potential axing
Following the conclusion of the England series, India captain Shubman Gill also told the press that there hasn’t been any conversation around Rohit’s future within the team.
“He has not told us anything,” Gill said at the post-match press conference. “I think it is all out in the media. But there’s not been any discussion like that in the team.”
Rohit reflects on significance of batting with Virat Kohli
Rohit’s phenomenal knock has certainly allayed the fears around his potentially sudden exit. He was also involved in a 113-run stand off 86 deliveries for the second wicket alongside Virat Kohli at Lord’s and it was their 400th game as a pair for India across formats.Rohit said he always enjoys batting with Virat and they try to bounce off ideas.
“We played our entire career together. So, you know, it was nice to have him in the middle,” Rohit said. “You know, we’ve had a lot of partnerships. It’s always fun batting together. We understand each other so much. And yeah, it’s always nice in the middle, bouncing off ideas, try and see what we can do. So there was a lot of conversation that was going around in between when we were batting.”
