We have to create our own template and not follow any other team: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid are all set to take up their respective full-time roles from the home series against the Black Caps. Ahead of the start of the series, Sharma has asserted that the team hopes to create their own template and not follow others’ ways.

India will be hosting New Zealand for three T20Is and two Tests starting from November 17. Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were on their last assignment with team India as the T20I skipper and head coach respectively in the T20 World Cup 2021. The captain-coach partnership enjoyed some good success by dominating oppositions across the globe.

However, they have been placed under the scanner for not having won an ICC trophy in their tenure. Sharma pointed that the team is all raring to improve itself and end the ICC trophy drought.

“We haven’t won ICC tournaments but we have played well as a team, there are little holes we need to fill. That will be our biggest challenge as a team. We have to create our own template and not follow any other team,” said Rohit ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand.

Whatever is required for us to be a better team in this format, we’ll do: Rohit Sharma

For the T20I series against New Zealand, India has rested a few key players who were a part of the bubble environment for a long. This made way for some new faces in the side who found their place owing to their impressive performances in IPL 2021. Sharma thus opened up on the importance of allowing the youngsters to express themselves.

“It’s not about keeping an eye on one or two individuals. Keeping an eye on everyone is equally crucial. Whatever is required for us to be a better team in this format, we’ll do. Both of us will play a huge role in giving individuals assurance to express themselves, play freely. While doing that there is a chance you will not always be successful,” Rohit added.

He also shed light on the workload management of the players in the team. He said, “Players aren’t machines. We need to manage the workload. Some players who have been playing for a long need to be rested to remain fresh. We want all our boys to be mentally fresh for the challenges ahead. Need to monitor it every series.”