Mumbai: Star India batsman Rohit Sharma on Sunday said while the national cricket team members are disappointed at not being able to retain the World Cup, a new challenge awaits them in the form of the upcoming Indian Premier League.
India lost to eventual champions Australia by 95 runs in the semifinals of cricket’s showpiece event at Sydney and IPL franchise Mumbai Indians’ captain Rohit said the focus was NOW solely on winning the eighth season of the cash-rich Twenty20 tournament.
“It was disappointing not to bring the World Cup back, but once we got back to India we knew a new challenge was lying in front of us, which was the IPL. Now we are thinking about how to win the championship,” said Rohit at a media conference here today ahead of the IPL, starting on April 8.
The Indian opener, who has two one-day double hundreds to his credit, said although the Indian team had stayed for around four months in Australia, everyone was now prepared mentally and physically for two months of IPL.
“I am perfectly ready. IPL schedule is released well in advance. So everyone knew we had to compete soon after spending four months in Australia, so all of us are prepared mentally. I don’t think anyone is mentally tired because ultimately, as players, we want to do well in every tournament we play. It is an opportunity, another big platform for all of us to perform,” said Rohit.
Mumbai Indians, champions in 2013, are all set to take on the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening game of the T20 tournament at the Eden Gardens and he was gung-ho about the chances of his team.
“They (KKR) have got the bowling line up and are defending champions. We have to be at our best. Obviously being the first game pressure will be on both sides to perform. They play well in Kolkata and understand the conditions really well. We got the squad, the batting line up to overcome that situation.
“We have roped in a lot of young Indian talent in the players’ auction. It looks a very well balanced squad. We have had a very good preparation ahead of this IPL season. We hope that all youngsters deliver during the tournament,” he said.
Team’s head coach Ricky Ponting said the team has had a good preparation fir IPL.
” So far this week’s been great. Our preparation has been great. I really love the attitude of our players,” said Ponting, who played in one IPL season without much success. (PTI)
