ISLAMABAD: In anticipation of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the Indian cricket team’s captain, Rohit Sharma, discussed the bowlers he would rather avoid facing during the tournament set for October-November.
The 36-year-old cricketer explicitly mentioned that he would prefer not to confront either Mitchell Starc from Australia or Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi in the prestigious event.
Rohit Sharma will be at the helm for India in his third ICC tournament. He previously led the team during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, where they faced defeat against England in the semifinals, and also captained the side during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in 2023.
In an interaction with ICC, the 36-year-old responded to intriguing questions in his distinctive style. When asked whether he would choose to encounter Australia’s Starc or Pakistan’s Shaheen, his reply was unequivocal: “Neither, both possess remarkable quality, posing a substantial threat with the new ball due to their ability to swing it at a significant pace. Therefore, I would opt for neither.”
Sharma indicated a preference for facing pace bowlers
Sharma indicated a preference for facing pace bowlers over spinners and expressed his inclination for executing pull shots rather than cover drives.
Reflecting on the disappointment of not being included in the World Cup 2011 squad, which India clinched on their home turf, Rohit Sharma shared his sentiments. He recounted, “The year 2011 holds special memories for all of us. I vividly remember closely following every match and every ball while watching from home. It was a blend of emotions – on one hand, there was the undeniable disappointment of not being part of the team; on the other hand, witnessing India’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament.”
“I had initially decided to abstain from watching the World Cup due to my exclusion. However, the prevailing memory is of India’s exceptional gameplay, particularly from the quarter-finals onward. The significant semi-final clash against Pakistan remains etched in my memory, understand the immense pressure the players encountered during those critical moments. Similarly, the semi-finals against Australia showcased the intense competition,” he added.
India’s quest for an ICC trophy has spanned a decade, with their most recent triumph occurring in 2013 when Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy.
