“I am not on social media for the past 9 months” - Rohit Sharma on shutting out outside ahead of World Cup clash against Pakistan
Team India captain Rohit Sharma has stated that he has not been on social media for the past nine months in response to a query on how he is shutting out outside noise ahead of the much-hyped 2023 World Cup match against Pakistan. Rohit, however, clarified that he has not asked any other player to do the same, stating that everyone has their own way of dealing with things.
There are massive expectations from Team India every time they play Pakistan, especially in the World Cup. Players were trolled brutally when they lost the 2021 T20 World Cup match in Dubai but were hailed as heroes when they defeated the arch-rivals in the 2022 T20 World Cup contest at the MCG in a last-ball thriller.
The Men in Blue will take on Pakistan in their third 2023 World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. At a pre-match press conference, the Indian captain was asked about the routine he is following to not get affected by outside noise.
“I am not on social media for the past nine months now. Everyone has their own way of dealing with it. Some people like it, some don’t. That’s not my place to tell anyone, how to do it. They have to work out their own way of dealing with these things," he responded.
“It’s a massive game, but for us what is important is playing an opposition tomorrow, which will be quality. We’ve got to play good cricket, which we have done in the last two games,” the Indian skipper asserted.
India have begun their 2023 World Cup campaign on an impressive note. They beat Australia by six wickets in their opening encounter in Chennai and followed it up with an eight-wicket triumph against Afghanistan in Delhi.
“I am not a person who looks into all that kind of stats” - Rohit downplays India’s 7-0 record against Pakistan
Team India have never lost to Pakistan in the ODI World Cup in seven meetings so far. They have also won the last two clashes between the two teams [completed matches]. After the 2022 T20 World Cup triumph in Melbourne, they hammered Pakistan by 228 runs in the Asia Cup Super 4 clash in Colombo.
Rohit, however, downplayed India’s impressive record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and in recent games. He stated that what matters is how they play on the given day.
“I don’t believe in psychological advantage. You need to play good cricket every day. We don’t want to think about what has happened, but instead focus on the fresh day and fresh opposition. Both teams will start on even terms. I don’t think any side is favorite or underdog. It’s important to start well and carry that momentum forward," Rohit stated.
“I am not a person who looks into all that kind of stats [7-0]. You’ve got to play good cricket on the particular day to win the game,” the 36-year-old concluded.
Like India, Pakistan have also won their first two matches in the competition. They beat the Netherlands by 81 runs and Sri Lanka by six wickets.