"I will focus on my batting" - Rohit Sharma on chances of him bowling in IND vs SL 1st ODI
Rohit Sharma will lead India in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The series opener is being played at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2.
Speaking at the toss of the first ODI, Sharma was asked if there was any added pressure on him to roll his arm after Suryakumar Yadav's bowling exploits in the third T20I between India and Sri Lanka. The veteran opener suggested that with enough bowling options available in the lineup, he would just concentrate on his batting.
Here's what Sharma said on the chances of him blowing in the ODI series against Sri Lanka:
"Not really (on chances of him bowling), I will focus on my batting. We have enough bowlers in the squad that can roll their arm over."
It is worth mentioning that Rohit Sharma bowled during India's 2023 ODI World Cup match against the Netherlands last year. He gave away only seven runs from five balls and dismissed Teja Nidamanuru.
Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh made a significant impact with their bowling in the third T20I against Sri Lanka. The hosts needed nine runs off 12 balls with six wickets in hand when Rinku was asked to bowl the 19th over. He did an excellent job, claiming two wickets and giving away just three runs.
Skipper Suryakumar backed himself to bowl the all-important final over, with Sri Lanka requiring just six runs in as many balls. He helped India tie the game, bagging two scalps and conceding five runs.
The Men in Blue chased down the three-run target in the very first ball of the Super Over, courtesy of Suryakumar's four off Maheesh Theekshana's bowling. India completed a 3-0 whitewash over the hosts in the T20I series.
The two sides will now lock horns in three 50-over matches. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first in the series opener.
Rohit Sharma will return to ODI cricket for the first time since 2023 World Cup final
Rohit Sharma's last ODI appearance was during India's 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in November last year.
The seasoned campaigner is making a return to the 50-over team for the first time since the side's heartbreaking six-wicket defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia.
Sharma led India in their title-winning campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup. India beat South Africa by seven runs in the summit clash, becoming the first men's team to win a Men's T20 World Cup unbeaten.
With 257 runs across eight innings, Rohit Sharma was India's highest run-getter of the showpiece event. He announced his T20I retirement after the side's victory in the final.