I’m all for giving players a fair run, happy to captain fulltime: Rohit
Dubai:following the Asia Cup victory, India captain Rohit Sharma spoke about the importance of giving players a fair run to prove themselves. With the 2019 World Cup not far off, it is time the team management identifies the core and provides players opportunities to flourish in that position.
Constant chopping and changing has been rampant in Tests and experts have termed it out as one of the reasons for India’s dismal performance overseas. In ODIS too, the middle order has often been rotated.
In Asia Cup there was no unnecessary tinkering with the XI. Rohit said he assured the players that they would not be dropped which helped them play freely.
“At the start of the tournament, we discussed this and gave them a clear message: ‘treat this like you’re playing for your domestic team, nothing to change.’ It was very important to give them this message, to ensure there’s no insecurity within.”
“I wanted to give them the assurance that they will play all the games. That’s how you make players. You give them the assurance of going and playing freely without taking pressure. If you know that you’re going to be dropped after two games, it’s not easy for anyone. I wanted to give everybody a fair run and play more games. That’s how you will understand a player’s capability because in one-odd game you can’t judge. You need quite a few games.
“The guys who were here had the ability to win matches for the team. They’ve won matches for their state or IPL teams.
“No one took extra pressure because some players weren’t available. We want to create an environment where boys come in, play carefree, and not think that this is an international match and we need to change our game.” Rohit said those playing at No 4 and 6 need to get more games as the World Cup comes closer. “It’s too early to judge or say they’ve sealed the spot.”
‘READY FOR CAPTAINCY’
Rohit, who has been the stand-in captain in the absence of Virat Kohli, said whenever the opportunity arises he would be “ready” for full-time captaincy. “We have just won so I will surely be ready (for captaincy). Whenever the opportunity comes, I will be ready.”