Rohit Sharma, one of the greatest white-ball openers India has ever possessed, gears up for the three-match ODI series against South Africa with a crystallized aim: to further cement his legacy and seal his place in India’s roadmap for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Still the same Rohit at 38, uncaring that age-related conversations are abuzz, looks at this series as yet another significant chance-no more than weeks after he had stroked a century and a half-century on the Australia tour.
In a video released by the BCCI, Rohit opened up about the motivation that pushes him despite being in international cricket for so many years. He described the distinct challenges of the ODI format and how, being an opener, he effortlessly changes his approach to suit the demands of 50-over cricket. Rohit further said that no matter how big the gap between the games is, he enters every game with the hunger of a newcomer who is focused on performing at the highest level and contributing a lot to India’s success.
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“Drive and willingness are not just now; it is every time you represent your country. It does not matter if you are 38 or 28,” Rohit said.
“ODI is a mixture of Test and T20I together. So you have to be skilful enough to go out there and handle both skill sets. Especially for me because I open the batting. When the ball is hard and new, it swings. So you need to bring your Test mindset there and leave as much as you can, play close to your body.”
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“I started playing at 20. My drive was very similar to what it is today. The mindset of coming out here and doing your best, with whatever you have inside of you, has remained the same. I literally look at every game as if I am making a debut, because that is how I want to train myself. Whether I am coming after a one-month gap or after six to seven months, that drive to be the performer in the team will always remain. And this is never going to go. I look forward to this series now, and I hope to put on a great show.”
