In a candid expression of the team’s collective sentiment ahead of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, Rohit Sharma, India’s skipper, emphasised the significance of securing a historic Test series win in the Rainbow Nation – “Itna mehnat kiya hai, kuch to chahiye yaar hum logo ko (We’ve worked so hard, we need to win something big).”
While there is a significant buzz in and around Centurion regarding the Boxing Day Test with digital advertisement boards flashing the photos of Indian and South African superstars, rain is set to play a spoilsport on the first two days of the series opener. The showers may play a significant role in deciding the outcome of the series with the likelihood of a draw in the Boxing Day Test quite high.
Addressing the prospect of a Test series triumph in South Africa as a potential remedy for the pain of the recent ODI World Cup final defeat against Australia, Rohit admitted, “Obviously, it will be a big thing if we win here. We have all the tools. Bindaas rehke khelna bahot jaroori hai (We need to play freely). I don’t know if it’ll heal the World Cup final scars. World Cup is World Cup.
“If you had a World Cup until the final…the way we played, you expect to go an inch further as well. Unfortunately, we could not do it. It was a hard part for all of us to take that. Honestly, all these years, we’ve worked really hard for this.”
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Key takeaways from Rohit Sharma’s press conference ahead of Boxing Day Test between India and South Africa in Centurion. @ThumsUpOfficial @CricSubhayan #SAvIND #ViratKohli #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/H8vMgYuL5F
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Rohit was in fine touch during the World Cup as the cricketing world witnessed his attacking brand of batting in the showpiece event. At 36, this tour of South Africa is set to be Rohit’s first as a specialist Test opener against the Proteas in the longest format.
“South Africa is the hardest place to play as a batter,” he said. “I quite look forward to that challenge. Unfortunately, couldn’t make it the last time, but I’m quite looking forward to doing whatever is required from my side and see where it takes us. It’s not always too late to start your Test career playing in these kinds of conditions, at some stage you have to start. Speaking to these guys, they are quite excited.”
Responding to inquiries about his future, particularly concerning the T20 World Cup next year, Rohit kept it succinct, saying, “I know what you want to ask, you’ll get your answer soon.” The question lingers as Rohit, alongside Virat Kohli, hasn’t played a T20I for India since the World Cup semi-final loss in 2022. Yet, his recent performances, notably at the ODI World Cup, have solidified his candidacy for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States.
“As a batter, I’m batting as well as I could,” said Rohit. “I would look forward to playing whatever is in front of me.” Meanwhile, India’s practice session was washed out on the eve of the match owing to persistent rain in Centurion, and most of the players decided to spend their time walking around in Sandton while having a relaxed day before the big game.
Also Read: After World Cup Woe, Rohit Sharma and Company Can Script History in South Africa