Just like the day before the big and final exam, different emotions were felt during Rohit Sharma’s media interaction. From hope to excitement to tension to irritation (due to the numerous ringtone interruptions), everything was on display when the Indian skipper patiently and elaborately answered questions and maintained the right balance while doing that. Balance was indeed the key word on eve of the match as Rohit used it often and felt it was going to be key in the high-stakes game.
For most of the interaction, the smile never left Rohit’s face and you could feel that positive energy during his remarks. There were usual short pauses, coordinated hand and head gestures and witty one-liners but he looked well-tuned for the occasion. The big occasion. The ODI World Cup final vs Australia in front of at least one lakh spectators at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
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It can’t get bigger than this for the team which was criticised left, right and centre for their tactics and on-field approach for most of the year. But here they are one sleep away from realising their dreams and one win away from injecting joy into the lives of billions Indians.
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“This is an occasion, as I said, the occasion is very big. You don’t get such occasions every time. You don’t get a chance to play in the finals every time. And for me, this is the biggest event. World Cup 50 over. Since childhood, I’ve grown up watching the 50 over World Cup. So, for me, this is the biggest moment,” says Rohit at the presser.
And naturally, with the “biggest moment” comes a far bigger challenge. The challenge of not getting too desperate, the challenge of not looking to get ahead in the game, the challenge of sticking to what you have successfully done in 10 matches of the World Cup so far. There has been an air of invincibility in the way India have gone about so far and the biggest challenge is going to be crossing the final hurdle. A hurdle they last experienced in 2011 and have overall experienced just thrice in ODI World Cups.
“We played 10 matches well. But again, if you make mistakes tomorrow, then whatever good work you did in those 10 matches, it’s a chance to get wasted. So, I think, keep yourself balanced, keep yourself calm, don’t think about the future, think about the present and play your game. The mantra we have followed is this only, we haven’t brought the past game into this game, or what happened in the past or what’s going to happen in the future we haven’t thought much about all that,” says Rohit.
This is the beauty of sport, not just cricket, as it keeps presenting new challenges and moments to conquer. And the final challenge in front of India is the one which has no room for doubt and needs absolute clarity from the eleven individuals who will take field against Australia on Sunday.
“Emotionally it’s a big thing, a big occasion. Without a doubt, because whatever hard work and dreams you have, you have for this. And tomorrow, that day will be in front of us. But see, the biggest challenge for professional athletes is how you can put all this aside and focus on their work. So along with me, all the other 10 players who will play on the ground tomorrow, their focus will be more on their work for the team, rather than thinking about, this is the biggest moment of my life,” asserts Rohit.
‘It’ll be nice to win the World Cup’
In another relaxed setting more than a month ago in Chennai, Rohit had spoken at length about how not winning the World Cup is “unfinished business” and had maintained that it’s important to not get desperate while finishing that. A lot has changed since that remark as it happened ahead of India’s first game against Australia in Chennai and well before they injected fresh dose of invincibility in every game they turned up for. Casually, in typical Rohit fashion, he had remarked back then that “it’ll be nice to win the World Cup” and reiterated the same today.
“Like I said, when you asked me that question, I said, Yeah, it’ll be nice to win the World Cup. In the same tone, I want to say it now again, the same thing. It’ll be nice to do it because we’ve worked really hard for it,” says Rohit.
Virat Kohli is the only Indian player who has played in a ODI World Cup final in the past. This Indian dressing room is a fine blend of young and experienced player, and Rohit didn’t shy away from saying that there are a few “tensed faces” in the camp. The Indian skipper, however, was quick to add that playing for India is no less than playing a World Cup because of the pressure it brings.
“Not many have played the finals, but like I said, playing for India is as good as playing any World Cup game because there’s so much pressure. There’s so much expectation. Always at the airport, you’re going here and there. You have to win the World Cup. You have to score runs. You have to score 200. You have to take five wickets. So that happens. So, it is in your ears all the time. I’ve seen guys starting started to wear headphones now so that they can keep the noise out,” says Rohit.
The players have managed to shut the outside noise courtesy state-of-the-art noise cancellation headphones/earplugs right through the World Cup but they will undergo their toughest examination on Sunday. Many would keep tossing in the bed, turning sides and not have an ideal sleep but come Sunday all their captain needs from them is “one final push”.
“We have enjoyed our journey thoroughly till now so yeah just one final push now,” says Rohit with a smile.
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