Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has made team intentions clear going into the Asia Cup 2023. He revealed that the team will go in with utmost sincerity to win the tournament in Sri Lanka rather than looking at the tournament as a preparation ground for the ODI World Cup in India.
Indian team management came under scanner following their various experiments in the ODI series against the West Indies. It becomes pertinent to mention that they tried to find potential players, who could make it into the India squad for the ODI World Cup later this year, which raised the question about the Men in Blue’s approach coming into the Asia Cup 2023.
Speaking to the media ahead of a high-octane game against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma spoke about the importance of the Asia Cup 2023, where the top Asian teams take on each other in high-voltage games. Rohit said that the fitness and preparations were done in the preparatory camp in Bangalore.
“By no means, this is a fitness test or any other thing. This is a tournament played between the top 6 Asian teams. It’s a very big tournament for all of us, without a doubt. In the past, it has had so much history.
“So yeah, the fitness test and the fitness camp and all that was done in Bengaluru. Now, we have to move ahead and get our game face on and see what we can achieve in this tournament,” Rohit Sharma said.
Team India has been blown hot and cold in all three formats failing to produce an impactful performance in the major events as their last trophy came in the 2013 Champions Trophy and they will look to get themselves prepared for the ODI World Cup in India.
Jasprit Bumrah Is Looking In Good Spirits And That’s Good Sign For Us – Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is elated to have the fully fit Indian bowlers back in the side for the Asia Cup 2023. The leader will have the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah back in the Indian team after all the players missed the West Indies series. He stated that the comeback man Bumrah is looking in good shape ahead of India’s clash against Pakistan.
“All 6 bowlers are great bowlers, they have proven in world cricket how good they are. Speaking of Shami, Siraj, and Bumrah… especially Bumrah who is coming back from an injury after a long time. He played in Ireland, he looked good there. And then the small camp we had in Bengaluru, he looked good as well. Yes, he is looking in good spirits and that’s a good sign for us”.
“So are Shami and Siraj. They have been doing the job for us in the past few years now. It’s a positive sign for us. So hopefully, they can keep themselves fresh throughout the next two months,” Rohit Sharma added.
Indian fast bowling unit for the Asia Cup 2023 consists of the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur in the squad, as the Indian speedsters form will be crucial for the team’s success in the continental event.