Rohit Sharma intends for a more “behind the scene” role as India ODI vice-captain

Rohit Sharma, the newly appointed vice-captain of India ODI team, said that he was honoured to be named the deputy to Virat Kohli for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. He also stated that the role will be a little bit more backstage as compared to what his position at the Mumbai Indians where he is the leader of the pack.

He was even in the reckoning to lead the side for ODI and T20 series against Sri Lanka if the selectors were to decide upon resting Kohli given the team’s hectic schedule in the near future. Though, Rohit looks good to captain the side as he has experience of leading Mumbai and moreover they have won the IPL thrice under him.

“It is a huge honour to be appointed as the vice-captain,” Rohit said after the team’s optional practice session in Pallekele on Wednesday. “Ten years ago, I was only thinking of playing for India. Being the vice-captain now feels really, really good. It’s a kind of honour that whenever the opportunity comes – the first One-Dayer, when we come on August 20 – there will be some sort of role that I will need to play, and I am looking forward to it. I am not thinking too much about it, I just want to enjoy the moment as of now. Yes, it will be a good opportunity for me to get on to the field.”

“It’s a different ball game completely. IPL and when you come and play international cricket, it is completely different. But again, the excitement and the energy level is the same. So yes, nothing changes too much. I am the vice-captain here, there I was the captain, so I was more in front. Here I have to play a little behind-the-scene role. But yes, I will be very excited to step on to the field as the vice-captain of the Indian team,” the opener said when asked about the difference in leading IPL and international team.

Plan to counter Lasith Malinga

The two-time double centurion was one the three players who turned up for the optional practice session alongside KL Rahul and Axar Patel. He was seen playing a number of sweeps and reverse sweeps at the nets which he hinted as a plan to counter Lasith Malinga.

“Everyday is a learning day, today I got to learn something playing those sweeps and reverse-sweeps when someone like Malinga comes and bowls to you. It is something that the game demands these days. You got to be innovative and you got to play different kind of shots to get maximum results. You keep learning every day and I keep trying these things and learn about things I can do and things I cannot do. Every addition to your armoury is good and I am trying to see what I can add to my armoury. What better place than coming here and doing it; that’s what training sessions are all about. Come here, improve your skills, and try and get better as a player,” the 30-year-old added.

Rohit was full of praise for their opponents when asked about the Sri Lankan team. He said that the team from the island nation was a dangerous and it was evident from their victory over India in Champions Trophy.

“I have no idea about the squad for this ODI series, but what they had in the Champions Trophy was a very good side. They beat us quite comfortably. So you know in One-Day cricket, they are a very good team. We just got to do what we have been doing for the past few years. We got to stick to our strength.”

The dashing opener didn’t forget to stress on the fact that India have been playing some very good cricket and was confident of them doing well in the series.

“We have been playing good cricket. West Indies was good, Champions Trophy was good except for one day – but that can happen – but in the past two years, we have played some consistent cricket in the ODI format. As far as I am concerned, we need to look at what we need to do as a team and bring out the best on the field. That’s what we did in the recent Test series. We just focused on what we need to do as a group and that has always been the talk. We need to focus on our ability and strengths,” he signed off.

Rohit has been warming the bench since his arrival in Sri Lanka and would be itching to get back on the field. He will surely be a part of the ODI playing XI and open alongside Shikhar Dhawan.