India captain Rohit Sharma expressed unease over questions around his future in international cricket at the pre-match press conference in Nagpur on Wednesday, ahead of the first ODI against England.
After the Suryakumar Yadav-led India defeated England 4-1 in the T20I series, Rohit assumed captaincy of the ODI team for a three-match series, beginning on Thursday.
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Rohit, who is under the scanner for his poor run since the start of this season, said it’s not relevant to talk about his career when there is the series against England and Champions Trophy after that lined up.
“How is it relevant that I talk about my future plans when there are three ODIs and the Champions Trophy! The reports (on my future) are going on for a number of years, and I am not here to clarify those reports,” Rohit said.
“For me, the three games (against England) and the Champions Trophy are very important. My focus is on these games and I will see what happens thereafter,” he added.
Rohit scored just 31 runs in five Test innings during the Border Gavaskar Trophy series on India’s tour of Australia, after which speculation related to his retirement have been rife.
Rohit retired from T20Is after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in June last year.
“This is a different format, different time. As cricketers, there will be ups and downs and I have faced those a lot in my career. This is nothing new to me. We know everyday is a fresh day, every series is a fresh series,” said Rohit.
“I am looking forward to the challenge, not looking at what has happened in the past. There is no reason for me to look behind too much. It’s important that I focus on what is coming up and what lies ahead for me. Look to try and start this series on a high,” he added.
The three-match series against England ends on February 12, and the Champions Trophy begins on February 19 in Pakistan. India will play all their matches in Dubai as the tournament was turned hybrid following the Indian team’s refusal to travel to Pakistan.