'If I Wake up and Feel I'm Not Good Enough…': Rohit Sharma Opens up on Retirement Plans After Rout of England – News18

Team India registered a thumping 4-1 series win over touring England with their massive win at Dharamshala by an innings and 64 runs against Ben Stokes and Co. on Saturday.

Rohit Sharma, who started off the series in a rather ordinary manner managed to finish the five-game series with nearly 400 runs in the series.

The 36-year-old also revealed that he would hang up his boots when he feels he is not up for the task, but added that he has been playing his best cricket in the past couple of years.

“I think if one day if I wake up and feel I’m not good enough, I’m not feeling good enough to play the sport. I’ll just talk it out and let them know about it.”

“But honestly, I feel in the last two or three years my cricket has actually gone up and I’m playing the best cricket,” the Indian skipper said.

He also credited the side’s overall performance for the emphatic win over the touring Englishmen stating that a lot of things need to fall in place for such profound victories.

“When you win a Test like this, everything has to fall in place. At some stage, people are gonna go and people are gonna come and we know that,” Rohit said.

He lauded the young players who rose to the occasion to help India come back and win the series after having lost the first game.

“These (young) guys are maybe short of experience, they have played a lot of cricket and I can stand here and see that these guys responded pretty well under pressure. The credit goes to the entire team and it was pleasing to see.”

He also added that India usually starts off Test series slow and get into the swing of things and that it was a shame that the South Africa series ahead of England’s tour was just a two-fixture affair.

“We typically lose the first Test and then improve in the subsequent matches, so I was disappointed that we only played a two-match Test series in South Africa,” said Rohit.

The 36-year-old credited his bowlers for the stupendous job they did throughout the series with the spinners playing a pivotal role.

“When you win a series like this, we talk about scoring runs and 100s but it is important to take 20 wickets to win a Test. The way bowlers took responsibility was pleasing to see,” Rohit added.

Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball as his crafty spin troubled English players through the series and the left-arm leggie seems to have come of age of sorts with the triumph.

“It was over a period of time that we had a conversation (with Kuldeep Yadav), he’s got a lot of potential and when the chips were down in the first innings (in Dharamsala), he bowled really well,” the captain added.

Rohit also praised Kuldeep on his work with the willow, which showed during the course of the victorious series.

“After his injury, he came back and worked at the NCA and he is putting a lot of effort and the most pleasing thing was his batting,” the 36-year-old said.

Rohit also spoke about how it was crucial to bring about a change in the culture in the dressing room, moving away from what statistics might suggest.

“I’m not too much of a stat person who looks into numbers and all of that. Yes, scoring big runs, those numbers are important, but eventually, there is a culture of playing cricket in this team that I was focusing on and I am still focusing on,” he said.

“I wanted to bring a certain change. You know, players going out there and playing with a lot of freedom. That statistical side of cricket, I want to take completely out of this team,” the skipper added.

The opener also said that the numbers will follow when the players have a sense of clarity and calm in going about their game.

“People are not looking at numbers. People are not looking at their personal scores. Play the game. Numbers will take care of itself if you are playing well. If you’re fearless, If your mind is clean and clear, other things will take care of itself,” Rohit asserted.

“But don’t look out. Go out there looking for ok, can I get a 50 here? can I get 100? Obviously, all those numbers are good. It will happen. But just take that completely out of your mind and just focus on the game,” Rohit continued.

“Enjoy the surroundings. Enjoy the atmosphere within the group. Enjoy the camaraderie that we’ve created now within the group. That is what it is. For me, that’s the most important,” he concluded.