Our goal is to be the number one side: Rohit Sharma

Indian batsman Rohit Sharma said that the main goal of the team is to become the number one ranked team in Test cricket. India lost the ranking recently, as the last Test match of the series was washed off due to rain. Currently, India is at number two, behind Pakistan.

India is heading towards a long season as New Zealand, England and Australia are all set to tour India this season. “It is going to be a long season for us (Indian team), but as a team, we are moving in a good direction. We had recently come from the West Indies having a successful tour there, so as a team we will like to continue (from) where we left in the West Indies.”

“Our goal is very simple – to be number one side in the world, we were number one for a week but unfortunately, we could not get a game in the last Test match (and) we slipped to number two,” the right-handed batsman said.

However, he said that the current focus is on the series on hand, which is the upcoming series against New Zealand. “Again we have to look (at) one series at a time. New Zealand is going to be here very soon and we have to focus on that. I am sure if we do the process right, we will get the results (that) we want,” he said, at the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai’s (SJAM) Golden Jubilee Annual Awards 2016.

Also Read – Mohammad Irfan ruled out of England tour, Hasan Ali to replace him for T20Is

This season can change the whole graph of a cricketer: Zaheer

Zaheer Khan, who was the chief guest at the event said that the long Test season is kind of a career graph for all the cricketers. “It is exciting to see that so many Test matches are scheduled this year. This kind of season can change the whole graph of a cricketer’s life, career graph, for better or worse actually. So I hope everyone prepares that way and it is an exciting time.”

He pointed out the importance of remaining positive as the long series approaches. He said that this kind of a season doesn’t happen quite often and it is important to make the most out of it. “If you are in a positive frame of mind, your rhythm is good if you are a bowler or a batter, make the most of it. Because this kind of season doesn’t come along often,” he said.

“I recall (playing) only one season like there where there are so many test matches scheduled in a year and it was a wonderful season for me. I looked at it in that way and whoever is going to be a part of the season should look at it that way. As far as matches are concerned and series are planned, I think the most important series is the series which they are starting with,” he added.

 Also Read – If selected, I’ll definitely go to Bangladesh: Moeen Ali

Important to start a season on a good note:

The 37-year old also said that it is important to start off on a high note in such a long season. India will take on New Zealand for the first Test match of the series at Kanpur on 22nd September.

“India-New Zealand series is going to be very crucial series and it is interesting to see what kind of wickets they play on, because according to me it’s going to be an even battle and when you are in a season like this it is very important to start a season on a good note and set that tone for the season,” he concluded.