Rohit Sharma recollects his journey from Azad Maidan to Indian Cricket team

Rohit Sharma, nicknamed ‘the Hitman’, is a vital member of the current Indian national cricket team. However, the journey was never an easy one for the Mumbai-born cricketer.

He stayed with his grandparents due to financial issues and he started learning cricket with the help of his uncle. He was quite impressive with several centuries at school levels. He was initially an off-spinner until the coach Dinesh Lad identified the batsman in him. From there he never had to look back as he went onto being an integral part of the Indian team.

He spoke about his journey to adidas.cricket. He was quoted saying, “They were persistent. They were determined. They all wanted my wicket. That moment I realised never to be intimidated by my opponent ever again”.

“In a country where cricket is religion, the 22-yard stretch that moulded me is what I hold sacred”.

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“Sweating it out from six in the morning to six in the evening with just one dream – to bat for India one day. Practising in the heat, day in – day out. The shade from the trees was my only retreat. With trees 20 feet high on the on-side, here’s the secret to my favourite shot I learnt in my early years – the off-side cover drive,” said Rohit, who is known for his lazy elegance through the off-side.

“The days when the only spectators cheering me on were the birds in the trees, voicing & chirping my name. As my coach kept saying – “The Sky is The Limit”, later did I realise he meant it literally. Striving to hit the longest six over the roof of VT station. The towers that bear testimony to the longest sixes I have ever hit. It’s never too late to hear your calling. My everyday view that fueled my ambition to strive towards reaching the national team,” he explained his journey.

Rohit is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket currently. With 2 double centuries in the limited-overs format and holding the record for the highest individual score in ODIs (264), he is a nightmare for most of the bowlers.