Captaincy is but one part of Rohit Sharma’s responsibilities.

As an experienced batter, Rohit will have to shoulder the burden of giving the team a good start in the forthcoming Asia Cup and World Cup. Four years ago during the last ODI World Cup, Rohit scored five centuries, totalling 648 runs at an average of 81.00.

India will again look to Rohit to match if not better that achievement this time around at home. India begin their campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8.

“...It is important how I keep myself relaxed and not worry about external factors that play a role, whether positively or not negatively. I want to shut out everything,” Rohit said. “I want to get into the phase I was in before the 2019 World Cup.”

A lot has changed since that 2019 edition for Rohit. “I was in a great frame of mind and prepared really well for the tournament,” he said about the last edition.

“I was in good shape, good mindset. I want to bring that back and I have time to do that. Trying to recollect what were the right things that I was doing before the 2019 World Cup as a cricketer and as a person. I want to revisit that thought-process of mine personally,” Rohit said.

“A person can’t change overnight with his success or failures,” he said.

“I am not the person who thinks about what kind of legacy I will leave behind. My legacy will be for people to judge and talk about... I am thinking about what gives me happiness. It’s all about creating memories and creating a good rapport with my teammates.”

Written with PTI inputs