There’ll always be factors pulling you down but I look forward, not behind: Rohit Sharma

People make it sound really easy when they say the shots I play look elegant and easy on the eye. I started my career at 11 as an off-spinner. I was never a batsman until I turned 13-14. A lot of hard work went in to make me a batsman. My coach Dinesh Lad helped me a lot in my school days when I was a bowler. He promoted me to open the innings and that was the game in which I scored a hundred. From thereon, I started concentrating a lot on my batting. It’s been a long journey and a lot of hard work. There are new challenges that keep arising and I am focusing on going to West Indies and creating some history there as well.

Rohit Sharma signs an autograph for a fan at the Express Adda.

On starting out

The 1996 World Cup was a time when Indian cricket experienced a lot of highs. I saw what Mr (Sachin) Tendulkar did in Sharjah in 1998. Those things really inspired me. One fine evening, I was sitting with my uncle and told him I should play cricket. That was the day I began, and here I am, all these years later. Like everyone, I used to play in my backyard and was like any other kid, smashing the ball around, breaking a lot of windows.

On dealing with incessant criticism

As a sportsman, you have to accept that there will always be critics talking about your game. After playing for a while, I realised that these things shouldn’t bother me. Having senior players around has really helped in knowing how to react to criticism. As I started playing a lot of cricket, I matured more and my aim is to look forward and not behind. There will be factors trying to pull you down but as a cricketer, I feel your focus should be on the job at hand.

Rajesh Chaturvedi, Chairman, Adfactors PR with George Varghese, Chief Executive Officer and Wholetime Director, The Indian Express.

On being a team man

I don’t think it’s difficult. All of us are playing for one goal — to win it for our country. It’s a sport for 11 players. There will be lots of failures. There will be a lot of success. Every individual can’t perform on any given day. You have to accept the fact that you can have an off day. On those days, you look to contribute in some way or the other. If you see your teammate doing well on the field, you have to stand and applaud.

On friends from Team India and the Mumbai camp

I cannot single out any of them because we play together. I still remember when I made it to the Ranji squad for the first time. It was an awkward moment entering a dressing room which has all the stalwarts you’ve seen play and heard so much about. It wasn’t a friendly atmosphere. I am not saying that they didn’t make me feel at home. It was just the moment, and the feeling that you could sense. Most of the guys who are representing Mumbai now are of the same age. And it helps in some way or the other for a newcomer to become a part of the team.

On the future of day-night Tests
It’s still early days. I happened to watch the Test between Australia and New Zealand (the first ever day-night Test). It was very entertaining for people who were watching. But what I saw as a player was that the pink ball was challenging for both the batsman and the bowler. I think those guys handled it really well. I don’t know how it’s going to be in India. I hope there will be a lot of people there to watch as well. We want Test cricket to be as interesting as it was 20-25 years ago and I just hope this idea of pink ball will be a massive success. We are there as players to do whatever is required.

Anant Goenka, Wholetime Director and Head-New Media, The Indian Express presents a collage of photographs to Rohit Sharma.

On cricket, post-West Indies World T20 win

We all know that those West Indian guys have immense power and rely on it. But it’s not only about power. You need a good mind, skills and hard work as well. Physically, we are not that strong as the West Indians. I personally rely a lot on my timing only. I feel if you hit the ball 100 yards, you are still going to get only six runs. So if the boundary is 80 yards, you try and hit 82-85 yards and that’s still a six. Hitting longer sixes is good to watch on TV, but at the end of the day it’s about producing results and you do that by playing to your strength.

On his record-breaking 264 against Sri Lanka

I was totally out of touch. For three months, I didn’t play any cricket. Finger injuries are always tough. If you don’t have 100 per cent strength in your fingers, you feel uncomfortable. I was nervous. There were lots of questions popping up in 2014. Then I thought I will just approach it as another game and not worry about the injury. I was very slow in the first half of my innings. I was trying to get into the groove, trying to feel the ball. I still remember, after getting in post my 264, Duncan Fletcher (then Indian coach) came to me and said, “You could’ve easily scored a 300. You didn’t, because in the first half of your innings you were too slow.” I said, “Okay, if you want 300, I will try and get it in the next game.” You could see that the expectations of people were rising. They will never stop and it’s fair.

Rohit Sharm and wife Ritika Sajdeh at the Express Adda.

On there being a Sehwag-like pattern to his big scores

If you go to him (Sehwag), he will just say, “See the ball, and smack it.” He’s not going to get into the details of how to plan your innings. I was also fortunate to see him bat from the other end. When I made my debut in 2007, he was at his prime. I always wanted to emulate how he went about the first half of his innings. Facing the new ball is quite challenging for any opener. But all he thought of was to dominate the bowlers. He never took a step back and never thought, ‘Okay, this guy is bowling well, let me give some time and then I will start playing my shots.’ He was always like, ‘The ball is there, let me try and hit it whether it is the first or the last ball.’ But not every batsman can do that. My strength is to analyse, the conditions, the bowlers and how many runs we need.

On taking tough decisions as a captain during IPL

It’s a tough job, believe me, to go and tell someone that he’s not playing this game. I don’t know how these captains do these things. MS (Dhoni) has been doing it for such a long period of time. All these guys are professional cricketers. They understand where I am coming from and the combinations and conditions that come into play when you are picking your final 11. We go and speak to individuals as much as possible so that they understand what the captain and coach are thinking. Pragyan Ojha is a very close friend. So I took a moment and said, “Pragyan, sorry yaar, you are not playing this game.” These things are understood and players do understand that it’s in the team’s best interest.

Ayaz Memon, author and sports columnist.

On fitness and diet

Fitness is such a critical part of your career these days. So you have to understand what you put inside your body. It’s not that we don’t eat. We have a good set of nutritionists and physios to help us pick and choose what we need to eat. It’s important that you maintain your diet well. When you are playing a Test match, you lose a lot of carbs from your body. So you need to monitor your intake. I am a foodie so I like eating, but I do understand that while I’m playing I need to sacrifice certain things.

On getting a spot in the Tests

I’ve got nobody to blame but myself. I don’t have any enemies. At the moment, there is a lot of competition for that spot. I need to work hard and score as many runs as possible. I know that a lot of the guys competing for that spot have scored runs. It’s not going to be easy. Nothing has come to me easily. I have to work my way towards it. And I’m prepared for it. I’ve always said Test cricket is my priority. I was never an opener (in ODIs). MS Dhoni, one fine night, spoke to me and said you have to open the next day. And I said, “Why not. I’ll try.” And I did pretty okay. Even now in Test cricket, it’s the same situation. The first four years, I never knew where I was going to bat. I’m sure in the next few series things will change, I hope.

(From left) Vijay Satbir Singh, Maharashtra Principal Secretary (Appeals and Security); Leena Tewari, Chairperson, USV Limited; Vilas Tewari, Founder, Candescent Games.

On IPL’s contribution in building Indian cricket

I think IPL has helped all of us massively. For the younger players it’s about rubbing shoulders with international stars. It makes them fearless. I still remember in 2008, Yusuf Pathan had a brilliant IPL season and he got an opportunity to play for India. Having these big names joking around and sharing the dressing room with you makes you feel like you’re one of them. And I’m sure through the IPL in the next few years, you will see many young faces coming up and playing fearless cricket.

On pitfalls every youngster should be aware of

When I made it to the squad, we had to play U-14, 15, 17, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy. Now you have a good season in the IPL and can get a break. As a young player, getting a chance is one thing, being able to maintain your position is always going to be tough unless you have a big baggage of runs behind you. I still feel everyone should be focused on domestic cricket. IPL will always be there to help you. But the games before the IPL matter a lot too. The season starts from October to March-end. You need to experience scoring big in those first-class matches. We have seen many cases of people getting picked straight from the IPL and then struggling to sustain their place. So it’s always better if a young player comes through the ranks.

On picking himself up from failure

When you play a sport, you have to accept that there will be failures. I understood that a long time back. I’ve spoken to Sachin Tendulkar about it. I still remember, when I was in Sri Lanka, I was having a horrid time. He called me and asked me to do certain things. I still try to follow that now. I relax, go and watch a few movies, try and sing although I’m not good at it, or get my friends over and chill with them.

The audience at the Express Adda held in Mumbai last week.

On the team’s fashionistas

When I came into the team, it was Yuvraj (Singh). Everyone tried to follow him. Now it’s probably (Virat) Kohli. The most boring dresser is Ajinkya Rahane. Lots of us are sporting beards these days, maybe it’s just a coincidence. Only Anil Kumble doesn’t have one.

On being called a ‘talented underachiever’

Many people have sustained their jobs by criticising me. But I’m happy that I could help someone out in some way. I’ve given them a lot to talk about.

On what keeps him motivated

Anyone who is picking up the sport needs to know that there are no shortcuts. You can’t get into the squad just like that. You have to make your way. You can’t look too far ahead. When I was young, it was about playing for Mumbai, which in itself was a huge honour. I didn’t think about playing for India. Of course, when you reach that level, the next step is always to look forward. Every time I’m on the field, I think that I’m representing 1.3 billion people. There are so many people cheering for you, wishing you luck. As a youngster you need to be aware that there will be spots that you are uncomfortable in, but you have to work through things. It won’t be easy.