It’s the month of April and usually at this time of the year, you will see Rohit Sharma leading Mumbai Indians in the IPL. However as the pandemic has forced people to stay indoors and led to the indefinite postponement of the Indian Premier League, Hitman has kept himself engaged in different ways. The Indian vice-captain was a part of India Today’s E-Conclave Corona Series where he spoke on the prospect of playing cricket behind closed doors, opening in Test cricket and the Australian tour later this year. 

Here are some of the excerpts from the episode: 

“It will be a little strange to play in empty stadiums” 

The New Zealand - Australia series in March was played behind closed doors. When asked on the prospect of playing in front of an empty stadium, Rohit acknowledged that it would be a bit strange but added that the fans would at least be able to watch them on TV. 

“I hope everybody is safe in their houses and following the guidelines. Yes it will be a little strange to play in empty stadiums. I don't know how the fans will take it. I have to go back and think about how I played as a kid with nobody watching. Life will again go back to that. People will at least be able to watch us on television which is something that we all are looking forward to.” 

At the same time, he also remarked that there will be a precautionary approach to cricket even after the lockdown ends. He mentioned that there might be restrictions on their movements during overseas tours. 

“Once they open up the stadiums, only then we will get to know how exactly it is going to pan out for us. Eventually in whichever country cricket will be happening, they will have to take all precautions even with regards to medical facilities. We will have to control our movement, don't think going out will be possible if at all we are allowed to tour abroad.” 

I was in a good space during the World Cup and all credit goes to Ritika and Samaira 

Rohit was the leading run-scorer in the 2019 World Cup with five centuries. The Indian vice-captain gave credit to his wife Ritika Sajdeh for being there for him. He elaborated on how she had played a huge role in his entire career. 

“She's been like a rock for me. She's always been there to support me, to make sure that I get that comfort. I'm actually at ease. With her being around it makes my job easier. The best phase was during the World Cup, I had my family in England. I was in a good space and all the credit has to go to her plus my little one also. I had a very good World Cup. Ritika's role has not been limited to this phase, she has played a huge part in my entire career right from the time she was my girlfriend in 2008 and now as my wife.” 

It's just about being disciplined for a month and we saw what can happen 

Staying at home can be difficult, especially for an all-format cricketer like Rohit who is constantly on the run, given India’s international calendar. He went on to share a few remedies alongside admitting that it could get frustrating at a point. 

“It can get frustrating. Which is what through my social media, I have been trying to send across this message that even while sitting at home you can entertain yourself. By enjoying little things. Whether it's spending time with your family or cleaning your house or doing some activity to keep your body fit. Watching TV, watching all these exciting shows that are coming up. There are a lot of things which we can do. I know it's frustrating but it's for our own good and for our own future. If we don't take care of ourselves now, it's going to be a big problem in the future.” 

Rohit emphasized on the positive side of the lockdown. He highlighted how nature was responding to the reduced pollution levels and how everyone needs to be disciplined to ensure it’s over soon. 

“And let's not just think about ourselves, we have to think about our children and grandchildren also. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be disciplined. We have seen a lot of things outside as well like no cars on the road, the pollution levels have dropped. We have seen flamingo birds in Mumbai and dolphins being spotted. It's just about being disciplined for a month and we saw what can happen.” 

I want to win World Cups 

Rohit was a part of India’s first-ever T20 World Cup winning campaign. It’s been almost 13 years since the Men in Blue have embraced the title. While he was unsure about the tournament taking place as scheduled, Rohit expressed his desire to win World Cups for his team. 

“Winning the T20 World Cup is a dream for all of us. Every time you go out there you want to win every game but the World Cup is the pinnacle of everything. I want to win World Cups, we are not sure when this T20 WC is going to happen but as and when it happens, we will have a fair amount of time to prepare for it. I'm sure the cricket boards around the world are not going to say 'everything is fine we are going to schedule the World Cup'.” 

Hitman also stressed upon the importance of training once the lockdown is over. Rohit, who was out of action due to injury, has been longing to return back to the field. 

“Of course, there will be preparation time that will be given to all the countries because everybody is under lockdown. Nobody is playing, or practicing or training besides staying home and doing limited stuff and that is not enough. We need to hit the gym and start training before going on the field.” 

“Especially for me, I have a lot of work to do because of my injury. I was just around the corner to do my fitness tests until the lockdown happened. First thing for me is to go and give the fitness test, pass it and then hit some balls because it's been a while. The last ball I played was on February 2, which is the day I got injured. I'm looking forward to going out there and playing and doing what I love the most.” 

I was in that mindset that I could open at any given point 

Last year, Rohit was handed the opening role in the traditional format against South Africa. He began with a bang, scoring a century in both innings of the first Test. The opener asserted that he was waiting to grab the opportunity and make the best of it. 

“There were talks going on even before I opened in Tests, I was told I might open in Tests as well. It was 2 years ago when these talks started, I was preparing myself from there onwards. I was in that mindset that I could open at any given point. At the end of the day, you want an opportunity. Nobody wants to sit out and watch the game. I wanted to be in there. I was ready for any opportunity that was thrown at me. When it finally came, I was ready. It’s just that I worked on a few technical aspects.” 

Australia in their own backyard with Smith and Warner back will be a different ball game 

The 31-year-old rued missing out on the opportunity to play Test cricket in New Zealand due to his injury. He further looked forward to playing in the whites Down Under later this year. 

“New Zealand as well, I was quite looking forward to playing in challenging conditions. Unfortunately, the injury happened. I can’t wait to go out and test myself in Australia and play the Test matches.” 

India are scheduled to tour Australia later this year for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which is also a part of the ICC World Test Championship. Rohit admitted that defeating Australia at their home isn’t going to be easy this time around, especially with the return of David Warner and Steve Smith into the squad. 

“It will be a great Test series. I know, Australia in their own backyard with those two guys back will be a different ball game. As a team, us, we are playing our best cricket. We have got our bowlers and batters in the right frame of mind. We are quite looking forward to that series. If it happens, it will be a great series to be a part of.”