S Sreesanth, former Indian pacer, emphasizes the importance of Rohit Sharma’s role as a batsman and captain in India’s quest to win the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final. Sreesanth hopes that Rohit Sharma will excel in terms of run-scoring at the Kennington Oval, surpassing his previous performance against England in 2021.
The ICC World Test Championship final between India and Australia is scheduled to take place from June 7 to 11. Rohit Sharma, as the captain of the national cricket team, aims to secure his maiden ICC title and lead India to their first championship victory since the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Speaking on the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues,’ Sreesanth commends Rohit Sharma’s work ethic and predicts that India needs a batter like him, along with his leadership qualities, to achieve success.
“India need a batter like Rohit Sharma and his leadership qualities even more. When there is a balance between the two, you get the fruits of your efforts. The way he has prepared, he said he will practice more despite getting hit in the nets once or twice,” Sreesanth expresses.
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Sreesanth highlights the dedication and discipline displayed by Rohit Sharma during net sessions, noting his intention to outperform his previous performance at the same venue. Sreesanth eagerly anticipates witnessing impactful innings from Rohit Sharma’s bat.
In the fourth Test against England in September 2021, the 36-year-old Rohit Sharma scored his first overseas Test century. His brilliant knock of 127 runs in India’s second innings contributed to the team taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
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Sreesanth also considers former Indian skipper Virat Kohli as a role model for youngsters due to his unwavering dedication to the longer format of the game.
“The best thing is that the discipline, dedication, and determination are being seen despite him being in such good form. You will have to appreciate him for that. The main reason, I feel, is that it becomes muscle memory to pick the length,” Sreesanth comments.
He further adds, “It’s more like mental practice and brilliant skill. We all know the way he transforms himself. When he scored centuries in the IPL as well, he said in the interview that he doesn’t play too many unconventional shots and wanted to retain his technique for the WTC final. For the youngsters watching, this is what makes a champion.”
In conclusion, S Sreesanth emphasizes the significance of Rohit Sharma’s contributions and leadership in India’s pursuit of victory in the WTC final. He also lauds Virat Kohli’s commitment and technique, serving as an inspiration for young players.