'Have fun, relax and be part of this wonderful set up' - Rohit Sharma conveys it to Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan

One of the most experienced players in the Indian team at present, Rohit Sharma has been playing international cricket from 14 years. But the opening batsman is still well aware of the pressure that a player faces on his debut at the highest stage of the game. And as his IPL teammates Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan hope to make their T20I debuts in the upcoming series against England, Rohit has delivered a message for them.

Last month, Kishan and Suryakumar earned their maiden India call-ups for the five-match series. The duo earned the calls after performing consistently in domestic cricket as well as IPL. It would be interesting to see whether the Indian team-management hand the in-form batsmen debuts in the forthcoming series.

And if they indeed get a chance to make their debuts, Rohit has asked them not to take any pressure. The India vice-captain has said both the batsmen need to live in the moment and have fun with the rest of the squad. Rohit also urged Kishan and Suryakumar to make the most of the opportunity and learn about the team culture.

“I do not want them thinking about anything. Watching them closely for a few years now, I have realised that it’s important for them to come here and be part of this setup which the team has and the team has tasted success for all these years. I just want them to be having fun and understanding what this team is all about,” Rohit told reporters as quoted by India Today.

You just have to enjoy the moment: Rohit Sharma

Speaking further, Rohit Sharma admitted that Suryakumar as well as Kishan will be nervous after their first call-ups. The right-handed batsman opined that senior players like him and the coaching staff need to tell the players to enjoy the moment. Rohit stated that the duo will only pile pressure on themselves if they keep thinking about performance.

At the same time, Rohit was quick to remind the batsmen of the challenge they face in international cricket. One of the best batsmen in the world at present, Rohit said that international cricket would not be easy for Suryakumar and Kishan.

“Keeping in mind that this is the first time that they have been selected into the squad, they will be nervous, they will be thinking about performances and all that. It is important for people like me and some senior members of the coaching staff to tell them it is just another team that you have got to be a part of. You just have to enjoy the moment,” said Rohit Sharma.

“Thinking about performances and what I need to do if I get an opportunity will only put pressure on them. I think it is important for them to just have fun, relax and be part of this wonderful set up first and when the opportunity comes, I am sure, these guys have done well especially last year and it is about carrying that form and putting it out here.

“It would not be easy out here. They would be challenged but that is what international cricket is all about. You will be challenged every now and then, it is about how you respond to those challenges. It is about telling them to have the right mindset and tell them about the challenges that lie ahead,” he added.