Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, downplayed the team’s lack of success in ICC competitions since 2013, saying that prior outcomes had no influence on his decision-making.
India, one of the overwhelming favorites to win their third championship, will be led by Rohit in the home ODI World Cup. India suffered after winning three ICC championships between 2007 and 2013, notably in the latter stages of the major competitions, frequently losing in the semifinal and final.
Before the 2023 World Cup, Rohit told the Indian Express that, with the exception of Australia, none of the teams had demonstrated dominance in ICC competition.
“Yes, we have not won, it’s fine. I’m not a person who overthinks and puts myself in a tough place where I’m not able to make a decision. England started winning now; in 2019 they won the World Cup after so many years. It happens. Australia is the only consistent team who have won. After 2007, they won the ODI World Cup in 2015. They won the T20 World Cup in Dubai,”
Rohit Sharma
Rohit also expressed his frustration with the supporters, who, in his opinion, have been focusing just on ICC events rather than the team’s other achievements during the year.
“Every year there is an ICC trophy now. If you don’t win it’s an unsuccessful year! People just forget what good work has happened in these 10 months. Rightly, as the Indian cricket team, we are expected to win major trophies. We are one of the top teams in the world. We have to be good at it. It has been disappointing for sure,”
Rohit Sharma
Team India is just the second team in cricket history to be ranked first in all forms, and they recently won the Asia Cup with a resounding victory.
However, Rohit Sharma’s men were defeated by Australia by 209 runs in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final earlier this year. Under his direction, the team also suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss to eventual champions England in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Australia last year.
“All I can hope is that the team is in a good space” – Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma also deflected speculation of Team India being among the favorites for the 2023 World Cup, saying it is critical that the players be healthy and mentally prepared for the important event.
Several Asian giants returned from injury ahead of the Asia Cup, but players like KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Jasprit Bumrah demonstrated their fitness and form during the campaign and the subsequent Australia ODIs.
When asked if Team India is the favorites to win the World Cup, Rohit responded:
“I don’t have an answer for it. How can I say that now? All I can hope is that the team is in a good space. Everybody is fit and fine. That’s all I can hope for. I cannot say beyond this. Space is such an important factor and it’s a very key thing now.”
Rohit Sharma
The 36-year-old also hoped that supporters’ expectations would be reduced, but recognized that this was unavoidable.
“What people are expecting we can’t control. In India wherever we go, be it airports or hotels, they say, ‘World Cup jeetna hai sir’ (You have to win the World Cup). It happens everywhere. It will never stop,”
Rohit Sharma
India has won seven of its past nine completed One-Day Internationals (ODIs), dating back to the series finale against the West Indies, to vault to the top spot.
On Sunday, October 8, they will face five-time World Cup champions Australia in their World Cup debut in Chennai.