[Watch] "This is your captain speaking" - Rohit Sharma sends a message to Team India fans ahead of the first ODI against Sri Lanka
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has shared a message to all the fans of Team India ahead of the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Sharma recently led the Indian team to long-awaited glory, helping them win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup for the second time.
After winning the title, the 37-year-old hung up his boots in the shortest format of the game, handing over the reins to his fellow Mumbai team mate, Suryakumar Yadav. However, he retained his position as the captain of the Indian Test and ODI teams. Rohit will now be eyeing the next ICC event, the 2025 Champions Trophy, for which preparation begins with the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka.
In a video put out by the BCCI's official X handle, Rohit Sharma recollected the T20 World Cup win, saying:
"Wow, what a month it was. Flooded with memories, etched in history, aisa moment jo humare saath rahega (A moment that will stay with us). So much so that I feel that I can put my pads on in the shortest format."
Having an eye on the future of Indian cricket, he added:
"Time aa gaya hai for us to step on the field. Ek naye daur ke saath, ek nayi shurwaat, ek naye coach ke saath (A new era, a new beginning, and with a new coach). A partnership that will hold Indian cricket paramount. Team India utregi field pe, kuch naye aur kuch jaane pehchaane cheron ke saath (Team India will step on the field with some known and unknown faces)."
You can watch the video here:
Rohit Sharma will be looking to clean sweep the ODI series on his return to captaincy
After a long month's rest, Rohit Sharma will be looking to take the field with renewed vigor. In a new partnership with coach Gautam Gambhir, he will be looking to start with a series win against Sri Lanka.
India plays six ODIs in preparation for the Champions Trophy which will be contested in February 2025, with three of them being played against the islanders. The duo will be keeping a close eye on proceedings and will look to identify a core group of players as they look to add more silverware to their cabinet.
Rohit Sharma has had fond memories of playing against Sri Lanka, with the 37-year-old registering two double hundreds against them in ODIs, one of them (264) being a world record in the format.
The first match of the ODI series starts today, August 2, at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.