'10-11 of us used to sleep' - Rohit Sharma opens up on humble beginnings ahead of home World Cup

India skipper Rohit Sharma saw the lowest of the lows when he failed to make it to the squad for the ODI World Cup 2011 and has also seen quite a few highs, which include T20 World Cup win in 2007 and multiple IPL championships. However, before stepping foot in the professional world, the 36-year-old faced other issues, which he had to overcome in order to become the first cricketer to hit three double centuries in ODI cricket.

Speaking about his humble beginnings, Rohit stated that at least 10-11 people in his family used to sleep in the same room when he growing up. He mentioned the difficulties of that as his grandfather used to sleep in bed, while everyone was on the floor. He recalled the times when there was no leg space for him and so he used to curl up to sleep well.

“You know, that was our room. 10-11 of us used to sleep. The grandfather on the bed, me, uncles, aunts, grandmother on the floor. I would curl up. I had a thing, I had to touch someone or something with my leg. I would sleep towards the wall, my leg touching it. Else, I can’t sleep,” Rohit was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Rohit eventually added that his grandfather later asked his parents to keep Rohit with them and take his brother with them to Dombivli. Thus, at the age of three, Rohit was separated from his parents for some time as he lived in Borivali while his parents were some 50 kilometres away.

“Dadaji had said, 'Rohit ko idhar chhod de, aur chhote wale ko leke ja apne sath' (leave Rohit with us and take the little one with you). That’s how I stayed in Borivali while my parents and brother stayed in Dombivli (50 kms away). In some 100-odd square feet house, we used to stay, eight of us,” Rohit added.

He mentioned playing cricket in the gullies of Borivali and even was involved in a fight during one of the matches.