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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri backed Rohit Sharma and urged not to put any external pressure on him about his retirement as long as he enjoys the game as a batter.
Amid speculations about his retirement from the India National Cricket Team, Rohit Sharma bounced back in style, scoring a historic century against England at the iconic Lord’s on July 19. Ahead of the match, there were some noises over his recent form and his future with the team. After the glorious century, those critics have put their fingers to their lips.
Rohit Sharma shuts down all his critics by securing an elegant century at Lord's
Ahead of the India vs England 3rd ODI match in London, there were strong claims that the Lord’s match could be Rohit’s final outing with the Men in Blue in international cricket after a couple of short-lived outings against England in Birmingham and Cardiff.
The batting coach of the Indian cricket team, Sitanshu Kotak, claimed that there was no extra pressure on Rohit Sharma and he was permitted to bat in his own style. Despite the assurance on behalf of the team, reports claiming a possible rift between the 39-year-old batter and the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and the chief selector only intensified the situation.
Rohit Sharma didn't need to prove himself: Ravi Shastri
What was really staged behind the curtains was hard to tell, but by playing the 138-run knock off 110 balls. He made it clear that he could still offer the team a lot.
After the knock, Ravi Shastri expressed that Rohit Sharma did not need to prove himself, although he shut everyone down through his batting. The former India coach also said that if Rohit still has the desire to carry on his game, the management should allow him to do that.
“He (Rohit Sharma) didn't need to prove himself, but he has shut everybody up. When you get those kinds of rumors floating around, it is sometimes irritating. When a player has done that much, he doesn't have to prove anything to anyone."
"But if he has the desire to play, work hard at his game, and is still enjoying it, I think he should be given the opportunity for as long as he wants. The day will come when he feels he doesn't have it in him anymore, and he'll go," Shastri told Sky Cricket.
Rohit Sharma hit back at those who doubted on him
While talking to BCCI.tv, ‘Hitman’ claimed that since making his debut for the national cricket team, noises have been a part of his career. So, what people said about him really doesn't matter to him, as he knows what to do for the team on the ground.
“Look, my job is with the bat, to come out, play, represent my country and represent the team. That's what I've been told to do since I made my debut, and that's what I'm going to continue doing."
"The noise has been there since I made my debut, and it will remain for as long as I play. It doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field and how I contribute to the success of the team," Rohit said, speaking to bcci.tv after the match.
