‘Hopefully we can turn things around’ – Rohit Sharma opens up on India’s World Cup preparations

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has cast his gaze upon World Cup memories, projecting a buoyant outlook as the marquee event approaches this October. While India’s journey through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup’s last two iterations concluded at the semifinal stage, the skipper envisions his squad mirroring the triumph of his compatriots in 2011.

During the Barbados leg of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour, Rohit, holding the coveted trophy that will be up for grabs on November 19, shed light on India’s preparations, expressing his desire of gaining a favourable result in home conditions, with India hosting the event. Rohit said that even the road ahead is lengthy, he is well aware that claiming the World Cup isn’t an overnight feat.

“We are back home again this year, so hopefully we can turn things around,” Rohit asserted as quoted by ICC Cricket. “From our perspective, we are putting forth every possible endeavor to ensure our readiness for this global event,” he said.

Indian fans will be hoping that Rohit replicates the same batting performances that he had displayed during the 2019 World Cup, where he not only led the run charts, amassing 648 runs at an average of 81, but also amassed a record five centuries.

“I was in a good mind space (in 2019), I was feeling really good about my cricket, prepared really well before the World Cup and when you’re heading into a tournament like that, all you want to do is start well, mentally and physically fresh and then everything falls into place,” Rohit elaborated.

As per Rohit, confidence stemming from previous successes is significant but at that juncture, his mental state was optimal, and he aspires to replicate it this year as well. In search of inspiration for the impending event, Rohit reminisced about his early World Cup recollections, spotlighting Ajay Jadeja’s catch of Allan Border in 1992.

“I remember famously, Ajay Jadeja’s catch. I remember that because that actually is stuck in everyone’s mind, even now. It took our fielding to the next level,” he said.

Envisioning India’s support for his squad, Rohit expressed confidence in the nationwide backing they would receive, his eyes gleaming at the sight of the Cricket World Cup trophy. “I know for a fact that every ground, every venue that we will be travelling to will get massive support,” Rohit concluded.