'Your efforts will always be recognized' - Rohit Sharma reveals motivational message from his maiden team meeting as captain

India’s T20I skipper Rohit Sharma revealed the message he shared with the players in his first team meeting after taking charge from Virat Kohli, who relinquished the leadership role after the team’s premature exit at the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

Rohit stated that alongside new head coach Rahul Dravid, he assured the players that their efforts will always be recognized, while the management is ready to back them without fail.

“The first meeting that we had, we spoke of this very clearly to all the players that if you’re trying to do something for the team, that act will never go unnoticed,” he said after India clean swept New Zealand 3-0 in the T20I series.

“It will always be recognized when you’re trying to put up your hand and take the pressure on yourself and trying to do something for the team. That is the job of the captain and the coach to tell the players that we do understand what you’re trying to do for the team, you go and take your chances.

“If it comes off, good, if not, we’ll still back you because you’re doing it for the team. Anything anyone does for the team, it’s always a good sign and you have to back that thought and that’s what we’re going to do here and stay consistent to do that as much as possible,” he added.

Rohit further opened up on the endless depth and talent of players in the Indian circuit, making it difficult for the management to provide everyone with a chance every time. But he assured that the backroom staff will ensure to not let that affect the players in any way whatsoever.

“With the talent we have in India, it’s not easy, you have to see so many options. Most of the guys who are sitting outside have also done really, really well. You try and fit everyone into the squad but only 11 can play so it’s not easy. It’s always tough but we will try our best to ensure that whenever the players step out they don’t have any baggage.”