India vs England: ‘What kind of a question is that?’ - Rohit Sharma loses his composure on being asked about form and future

India vs England: Rohit Sharma didn’t seem too pleased with questions on his current form and his future after the ICC Champions Trophy in the press conference on the eve of the first ODI against England in Nagpur on Wednesday.

When asked about his lack of runs over the last several months and the return to his favourite format, the Indian captain lost his composure.

“What kind of a question is that? This is a different format, a different time. As usual, as cricketers, we know there will be ups and downs and I have faced a lot in my career, so this is nothing new to me. We know every day is a fresh day, every series is a fresh series,” Rohit shot back.

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“I am looking forward to the challenge, not looking at what has happened in the past. Clearly you don’t, so obviously for me also there is no reason to look back too much. A lot of good things have happened as well. It’s important that I focus on what is coming up and what lies ahead for me. It is as simple as that. Look to try and start the series on a high,” Rohit added.

It was unlike any Rohit press conference one has seen over the years. Even after India were bowled out for 46 against New Zealand last year, the India captain had come for the presser and answered all questions coolly. But at Nagpur on Wednesday, he got angsty and aggressive, like his predecessor Virat Kohli.

IND VS ENG 1st ODI liveblog: As Rohit Sharma’s India take on Jos Buttler’s England in Nagpur, follow our liveblog of the 1st One Day International with ground reports from The Indian Express’ Pratyush Raj

When coaxed about his future, the captain termed the question irrelevant.

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“How is it relevant that I talk about my future plans sitting here when there are three ODIs and a Champions Trophy coming up. Reports have been going around for a number of years, but I am not here to clarify those reports. For me, these three games and the Champions Trophy are very important, so my focus is on these games. We will see what happens afterwards,” Rohit said.

READ MORE: India vs England 1st ODI Live Score Streaming: When and where to watch IND vs ENG Nagpur match?

Captain on edge

Rohit also lost his cool when asked about any Plan B if all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has had a chequered fitness history, gets injured like he did during the ODI World Cup.

“Why are we thinking about the negatives? That he will get injured, this will happen, that will happen. In the minds of the selectors, there are things. I can’t say that here. We played the World Cup when they got injured. He got injured in the third or fourth match. After that, we played the whole tournament. Although we lost the final, we played good cricket till the final. So now, I won’t think about what will happen if we get injured.

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You are playing good cricket now. So we will hope that you keep playing good cricket and nothing happens,” he said.

Mohammed Shami has been included in the squad despite ordinary domestic returns, but Rohit wasn’t reading too much into it, asking people to keep a player’s performances over a long time in mind.

READ MORE: India vs England 1st ODI Live Score Streaming: When and where to watch IND vs ENG Nagpur match?

“He has not played cricket for a year and a half. Don’t be quick to judge players. The boy has been playing cricket for the last 10-12 years and performed for the team. He bowled so well in the (ODI) World Cup. If he doesn’t get the results in some domestic matches as expected, it doesn’t make him a bad bowler,” he argued.

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“He has bowled so much, taken so many wickets and won many games, so think about it. We just see what has happened now, but don’t see what has happened in the past. We have a short-term memory. He single-handedly won us matches in the World Cup, and took a lot of five-wicket hauls.”

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