Lauderhill (Florida) August 7 : India skipper Rohit Sharma has stated that with the team taking more aggressive batting, he and the team management are working to provide as many “freedom” as well as “clarity” players on the new approach as they can. The India captain also spoke about how the team is preparing physically and mentally for the forthcoming difficulties of the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup with the focus on transparency and giving players an unambiguous message.
“If there is a clear message from captains and coach regarding the direction the team is trying to go, then team members will certainly strive to accomplish this.In order to achieve that, they need to be in control and clear and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.We’re trying to give the players the most freedom possible,” said Sharma on Star Sports show Follow the Blues.
Sharma also addressed the team’s preparations, both physically and mentally for the upcoming tests of the Asia Cup in the UAE and the T20 World Cup in Australia.
“We’ve stated in detail following the T20 World Cup in Dubai (last year) and where we failed to get to the finalswe believed there was a need to make an overhaul in our mindset and approach in the way we approach our sport,” he said.
Asked about his experience of captaining the team with so many young leaders, Sharma said, “I realize it’s thrilling to have so many leaders within the team because it’s always a positive indication.
You want your players to be able to take the pressure, who are aware of the game and understand each other very well.When they are in charge of the team, these things could happen.”
With Team India having six different captains representing them in the last eight months, it’s obvious that the leadership within the team has shown through.
“I believe it’s crucial to have a leader however we play in the IPL as a 10-team event.
There are 10 captains, and at some point will be component of the Indian team too.I find it amazing because my work is much easier because these guys know everything very well.It’s all about if someone is thinking about something and I’m thinking about how I can to back up the idea.For me as a captain, it’s my responsibility and that’s what I’m trying my best to do,” he said.
With Rahul Dravid as his coach, Sharma has great guidance from one of the greatest players of the game.The captain believes that his support is crucial to India’s performance in the coming tournaments.
“With Rahul bhai I have played a few games with him because he was my captain at the time I made my debut in ODI.So, we obviously have some sort of understanding.I’ve been spending lots of time in the NCA when I was injured and he was there.We would have regular conversations throughout the day and he was watching my game,” he said.
Sharma also discussed the importance of having coaches who share the same vision and beliefs as a team.
“When he (Dravid) became a coach here we met in an area for a while before deciding what we would like to do to move this project forward.
I think he was in the same thinking process to my thoughts.This made it more straightforward for me to send the boys a clear and concise message.
the players as we don’t want confusion within the group and of course we wanted him alter the way of cricket too.We were looking to play in a certain manner in the three formats, and he was willing to take on all of the above.”
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