Indian captain Rohit Sharma has said that players who demonstrate a strong desire to play Test cricket and are willing to put in the hard work will be given opportunities in the longest format. He made it clear that it’s not challenging for him and the management to identify players with a hunger for Test cricket.
“This is the toughest format and in this tough format if you want success and want to excel then you will have to keep that hunger in you. We will give opportunity only to those who are hungry. You get to know who is hungry and who is not. You get to understand who is hungry and wants to play and perform in tough conditions then those players will get preference, it’s as simple as that. It’s no point playing them if there is no hunger (in them),” says Rohit.
In the face of challenges related to player availability and injuries, India navigated the series without key players. Nevertheless, the emerging talents capitalized on the opportunities presented to them, playing a crucial role in India’s success in clinching an insurmountable 3-1 series lead.
India faced challenges related to player availability and injuries, but they navigated the series without key players. Nevertheless, the emerging talents capitalized on the opportunities presented to them, playing a crucial role in India’s success in clinching an insurmountable 3-1 series lead.
“I don’t see anybody in this team who doesn’t have the hunger. All these guys who are here want to play. We all went through this that we have limited opportunities and if you don’t grab your chance it goes away. It is normal and it happens in cricket. Whoever uses the opportunity and helps the team win and perform those get noted and it is important,” says Rohit.
While responding to the question about the Indian Premier League (IPL) and whether players prioritize it more nowadays, Rohit Sharma emphasized that the IPL is beneficial, but he emphasized that Test cricket is the most challenging format.
“IPL is a good format no doubt, but this (Tests) is the most difficult format and to get success in this difficult format is not that easy. We have seen in this series and the four matches that we played and the last three victories were not that easy. We had to work hard, batsmen had to spend time in the middle and bowlers had to bowl long spells. This is hard work format,” adds Rohit.
