Rohit Sharma sees himself as his only competition

Indian batsman Rohit Sharma was forced to take an unwanted break from the game following a hamstring injury he sustained during the New Zealand series last year. The Mumbai batsman was subsequently advised to undergo a surgery and is now raring to take the field again. After having missed out on a lot of cricket in the Indian home season, the elegant batsman has set his sights on a quick return now.

In most of his recent interviews, he has been heard quoting that he wishes to make a comeback in the ongoing Australia Test series. As per his recent quotes in DNA India, the batsman again reiterated the facts he has been speaking about his return to the game. It is indeed tough for him to find a place in the Indian side in Test cricket at the moment.

This comes because of the fact that Karun Nair, the man who had scored a triple ton in his last match, is benched because the line up stands too congested at the moment. However, Rohit Sharma is unfazed with the given fact. He believes that his only competition is none other than himself. He said that he has the right mental condition to make a comeback. He had his reservations when he had to undergo a surgery. But the words of affirmation from his doctors have him hope of a better return to the national setup.

“In my career so far, I have never thought about who is my competition. You can’t improve as a player if your thought process is channelised in those lines. My competition is with myself. I don’t waste my time concentrating on things which aren’t in my control. But I don’t want to miss a single match that India plays,” Rohit said.

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“I have that mental toughness to deal with situations but whenever there is a surgery, there are some initial fears. But once I was done with it, my doctors in UK told me that with a proper rehabilitation programme, I would be fit to play within three and a half to four months. But it is tough when you can’t do what you love the most,” he added.

Before he thinks of an India call-up, he needs to prove his match fitness in the domestic fixtures. In a bid to do the same, the opener is expected to take the field for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches to be played against Andhra and Goa. He is also expected to catch up with the physio at the NCA, Bengaluru. He revealed that he will not be leading the Mumbai team in the matches and Aditya Tare will be continuing with the job of the captain for the tournament.

“I would love to be a part of current Test series. But then I will also have to take a step at a time. These two games will test my real time match fitness. Accordingly, I will have to inform the trainer and physio at the NCA as to how I have felt. I am feeling 100 percent fit but you would always like to hit a few deliveries and take it from there on,” noted the Indian cricketer.

“Yes, I will be opening the batting but I won’t be captaining the side. Aditya (Tare) has done a fabulous job as the captain throughout the season. Also I am coming back to play for Mumbai after a long gap. So it’s also not fair on my part to lead the side. Mumbai need to win both the matches and that’s what my endeavour is at the moment. Score well and win matches for Mumbai,” said Rohit Sharma when asked about the Vijay Hazare Trophy.