1 November - Mumbai - India Captain Rohit Sharma pre-match press conference
[Reporter:]
The World Cup is going well for us. We've won a lot of games. But Hardik Pandya, some reports suggest that he has left NCA. So, what is the update? Is he close to match fitness? Till when will he join the team? When will he play the next match?
[Rohit Sharma:]
No, see, his procedure after the injury is very positive. Whatever procedure he had to undergo after the injury, and the NCA, there were a lot of positive things. Right now, he is not available for tomorrow's match. But it is an injury that we have to see every day how much percent he has improved, how much recovery has been made, how much bowling has been done, how much batting has been done. So, on a day-to-day basis, we would like to take a call. Because we are watching for the World Cup, so obviously, the matches are taking place every 3 - 4 days. We are watching the situation daily. So, it's possible, as he is progressing, it's possible, hopefully, we'll get a chance to see him as soon as possible. That's all I can say for now.
[Reporter:]
I just wanted to ask you, you spoke about the pollution in Mumbai. Do you think that is a cause of concern? And also do you think the culture that is there in Mumbai, future generations could be affected by that? Because it is prevalent in Mumbai as well as Delhi.
[Rohit Sharma:]
I mean, in an ideal world, you don't want a situation like this, but I'm pretty sure the concerned people are taking the necessary steps to avoid these kind of situation. It's not ideal, everyone knows that. But obviously, looking at our future generation, your kids, my kids, obviously, it's quite important that they get to live without any fear. So, yeah, every time I get to speak outside of cricket, if we are not discussing cricket, I always talk about this, that you know we have to look after our future generation.
[Reporter:]
You have beaten Sri Lanka recently in Asia Cup and also but the fact that in 2011 they were in the final. So how much of those past and all the things matter to you in this kind of a match?
[Rohit Sharma:]
No, look, I think in this World Cup, we have seen a lot of games, a lot of - I wouldn't call it an upset, because every team here is to win games, so it's not an upset. But every team is trying to beat the other team, so at no point or no game you can think that this is a cakewalk for us. It's important that you stay in the present, do your processes, keep working as a team, what you've been doing as a team, focus on all those aspects and as a team that is what we are trying to do. We are not trying to look too much into the opposition, we're trying to internally look into ourselves and see where we can get better as a team, better as a player, certain areas that we want to work on. Yes, we have won six games, but there have been a lot of games where we did not have a perfect game. And you cannot have a perfect game, but near perfect game is what you want as a team. So those are the things that we try and look into. And speaking of the past, obviously, there's hardly one or two players from their squad, from that team, maybe one guy, Angelo, and same from our side as well. There's only two guys in the squad. So, I don't think - it's been more than a decade now since that has happened. So, I don't think that is going to be a factor. Every day, you have to turn up, and you have to turn up well, thinking that this is a fresh day, fresh game, fresh opposition.
[Reporter:]
Your selfless approach is being appreciated in this World Cup, no milestones, you are just looking to hit well. You also have the highest runs in power play – there have been some suggestions from former cricketers that it will be better if you become a little selfish. You will last longer.
[Rohit Sharma:]
Yes. I'm enjoying my batting. But obviously, keeping the situation of the team in mind, it's not like I just have to go and spin the bat. I have to spin it well, play well and keep the team in a good situation. This is my mindset. When I open, the scoreboard starts from zero. So as a batsman I have to think, I have to set the tone for the game. So, I have that advantage or you can call it a benefit that I am starting the batting and there is no pressure of wickets because everything is 0-0, so when you have to start like that, you can be fearless and you can play the way you want to play but then last game we were put under pressure a little bit in the power play. We lost three wickets. So, the game should be changed.
So, I think as a batsman my focus is on what the team needs at that time. What is needed in the first over, what is needed in the fifth over, what is needed in the tenth over. What is the team's score, how many runs are they chasing, how much score is good on the ground? All these things. I think about all these things when I bat. So whatever situation demands at that time, I try to play according to the situation.
[Reporter:]
Are we seeing a different Rohit, this World Cup leading by example and everything is falling in place and can you describe about your own captaincy, everything is working well, scoring runs, leading by example and India winning. Can you talk about that?
[Rohit Sharma:]
I mean, look, you read the situation, you see where the game is going, you see what is the right move in that particular situation. You try and analyse all those things and you try and make a move. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't work. So, you've got to be prepared for that. I totally believe that whatever calls we make on the field, it is in the best interest of the situation of the team and what is going to happen from here on now, next five overs or ten overs. So, you try and analyse those kind of situation and try and make that move.
Like I said, sometimes it can work, sometimes it may not. So, I try and look into all those situations and I see what is the strength of the opposition team, what they like to do in certain phases of the game, and try and analyse those aspects of the game. And then try and pass on that message to the bowlers. This is what we're trying to do, trying to go for wickets, or trying to contain the batsmen with a little bit of different field placement and things like that. It's the minor adjustment and the tactical aspect of the game that I try and bring in when I feel like it's necessary. Hats off to the players as well to really comply with that, because it's not easy. It's one thing if I keep thinking about it, and another thing if the guys don't comply with it. And I think full credit to all 10 of them who have taken parts in that game and responded to that thought process of the team. It's not my thought process, it's the team's thought process that the guys comply with. When things look good, everything looks good, everything works well. I know how this whole thing works. I'm quite aware of one game here and there, I know suddenly I'll be a bad captain. I know how it works. I try and do what is necessary from the team's perspective and be sure of that.
[Reporter:]
In Sri Lanka, people are mourning the death of Uncle Percy. When you were in Colombo two months ago, you took the trouble to visit him. And if you can talk to us about how the Indian team interacted with him over the years and if you have any message for his family?
[Rohit Sharma:]
Yeah, I was lucky to get an opportunity to meet him in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup and he's been such a great fan of cricket. Of course, Sri Lankan team but he's probably the first ever fan that I met, who was so genuine and the support from his side towards his team, towards the players was fantastic to see. When I first went to Sri Lanka in 2006 actually for U19 World Cup, he was there, but I was a little boy, I had no idea about how things work outside cricket field. So, I was not too much into that. But when I went with the Indian team for the first time in 2008, I saw him for the first time then and I saw how passionate he was. I got lucky as well to meet his family, his son, his grandson, their family is very sweet, I went with few of my team members as well. Well yeah, it's a sad loss, you know sad loss to the cricketing fraternity because in my eyes, he was the number one supporter of cricket at that point in time. Obviously, there have been so many fans now, but the first ever fan, cricket fan I saw was him. So yeah, it's a sad moment for all of us.
[Reporter:]
This has been a very good chasing ground, but the two games that South Africa have played here, they batted big and they batted first. Your assessment of the pitch that you had a look at and what you may try and do tomorrow?
[Rohit Sharma:]
Honestly, I don't want to say what we're going to do tomorrow. But yeah, look, as Indian players, we've played in these conditions. We've batted first. We've chased targets. So, for us, I think this is a ground where things can be quite unpredictable at times like there's so much in it for the bowlers as well. So, you can see, probably a top spell coming from the bowlers, rattling the opposition, that can happen. As you say, it's a high-scoring ground, but at the same time, if the bowlers put the ball in the right area, it can be slightly difficult. So, everyone gets value here, the bowlers, spinners as well, and the batters. But yeah, I mean, from the team's perspective, it was good for us to bat first in the last game and win the game. Even though we didn't post an over-par score or a par score, but our bowlers did a fantastic job, which they have been in the last six games. So yeah, we'll see. We'll assess in the morning and see how it is and we'll make the call whether to bat or bowl first.
[Reporter:]
With 12 points, you're almost there. Yesterday, Star Sports was saying that India are 99 percent through to the semifinals. Considering that, is there a chance that you will rest some players like bowlers, fast bowlers mainly? And for the balance of the squad, is it a case that Hardik Pandya has to be there for R. Ashwin to play as third spinner?
[Rohit Sharma:]
All sorts of combination is possible. You can still play with three spinners and two seamers if need be. I think in this tournament, in this World Cup, you've seen spinners actually are the ones who are stopping that run flow in the middle overs. I am keeping my options open whether we have Hardik or not at this point in time to play three spinners or not. If the situation demands for us to play three spinners, we will play three spinners. Because I feel spinners actually with a lot of skill set can put a break on the scoring rate in the middle overs if our spinners have got so much skill bowling in these conditions. So definitely a possible option for us. But like I said, we'll see whatever is necessary to make the right combination, right play. We will do that. And as far as the resting for the bowlers are concerned, I think they are in great rhythm at this point in time. They don't want to rest. Body is fine. And this is the feedback that I've gotten from all the bowlers. So, they are happy to play games.
[Reporter:]
I want to ask you about the off the field journey. Before the World Cup, many senior players said that playing World Cup in India is an added pressure. Because wherever you go, be it the airport or hotel, fans come up to you. They say, you have to win. So how is the off the field journey being six matches, six cities? How has that been?
[Rohit Sharma:]
No, you're playing in India now. You know that people have such high expectations. And I'm sure all 15 of us - when you travel to India, whether you're playing matches or not, there are people at the airport, in the flight next to you, or anywhere you are traveling, they will talk about your game. We want a hundred. We want to see you taking five wickets. We want to see you winning games, tournaments, series, and all of that. So, I am sure all these things have been in the players' ears since the beginning. So, I don't think it's pressure, but it's nice that people are expecting a lot of things from us. And, a nice way to respond is we know how. But at this point in time, we are enjoying the cricket that we are playing and we want to continue to do that as long as possible and as deep as possible. At this point in time, that is the focus. And yes, we are actually enjoying traveling from one end to the other end. It is nothing new for us, so don't really talk too much about it in detail. This is all I have to say about this part, because, you know, boys travel from one place to another. And there are different expectations from different cities, different players. So, boys get a good feeling. That's what I get to hear from them.
[Reporter:]
West Indies, and Australia have been two such teams in the history of the World Cup. Not once, but twice they have won the World Cup unbeaten. India has won the World Cup two times, but never remained unbeaten. Is there a determination, like you guys have campaigned, that you want to remain unbeaten?
[Rohit Sharma:]
No, we are not thinking of going that far, honestly. We just want to win every match. I have said this so many times, that for us, every match that we play is important. How we do well in that, what things we didn't do in the last match, how we can do in this match. Our focus is on that. And after that, we move our vehicle forward. It won't be right for us to think about the future, that we have to go unbeaten, and stay unbeaten. I don't think that is the goal. The goal is to play every game and play it well.
[Reporter:]
Sachin’s statue was unveiled today did you see it? It's Mumbai batsman hitting a lofty shot and you're part of that series 2013 again aggressive batsman from Mumbai so can you talk about that that statue and your batting style and his batting style.
[Rohit Sharma:]
When we reached the practice, we saw the statue. But we didn't get to see it so closely because we were practicing and our media manager delayed the press conference. We didn't get a chance to see it up close. We just came and we saw the statue and then we came back. I finished my batting and I came here now. But I'll get a chance to see it properly. Obviously, I haven't even seen the shot yet. It's over cover, is it? Straight lofted shot, yes. Now what should I say in that? Straight lofted shot statue has been made there. It's nice. I hope you guys enjoyed it.
