‘Talks outside are immaterial’ – Rohit Sharma on keeping team environment positive post assuming India's white-ball charge

A new era has gotten underway in Indian cricket with Rohit Sharma replacing Virat Kohli as the captain in white-ball cricket. The veteran opener was handed the T20I captaincy following Kohli’s decision to step down from the role post the T20 World Cup last month. Notably, Kohli had mentioned that he would continue leading the national team in the other two formats – ODIs and Tests.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped a bombshell earlier this week by announcing Rohit as ODI captain. The 34-year-old was also elevated as India’s Test vice-captain with Ajinkya Rahane getting stripped off the position. Reports suggested that a fallout between Kohli and BCCI is the major reason behind this decision. However, Rohit rubbished all the speculations, saying the talks are ‘immaterial.’

Rohit also stated that he will not let the outside noise affect him. “When you are playing cricket for India, the pressure is always going to be high. The pressure is always going to be there. There will be a lot of people talking about it; be it positively or negatively,” said Rohit in a video shared by BCCI on Twitter.

🗣️🗣️ "The pressure will always be there. As a cricketer, it is important to focus on my job."

SPECIAL – @ImRo45's first interview after being named #TeamIndia’s white-ball captain coming up on https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ. 📽️

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— BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2021

It is important to focus on my job: Rohit Sharma

“For me, personally, as a cricketer, it is important to focus on my job and not to focus on what people are talking about because you can’t control that. I have said it a million times and I will keep repeating it. This is also the same message to the team and the team understands that when we are playing a high-profile tournament, there will be a lot of talks,” he added.

The dashing batter also said he would try to maintain a good atmosphere in the dressing room. “It’s just important for us to focus on what we have in hand; which is to go and win games and play the way you are known for. So, those talks outside are immaterial. What we think of each other is more important. You want to share a strong bond between players and that is what will help us achieve the goal we want to,” stated the Indian skipper.