Not a gifted cricketer, have worked hard to be where I am now: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has played down the “gifted cricketer” references, saying that he has worked very hard to be where he is now.

In an exclusive interview to ESPNcricinfo, the 27-year-old said: “I am very clear that nobody is gifted. I don't know about anyone else, but talking about myself, I wasn't gifted. I was a bowler when I started and had to work my way to become a batsman. If I was gifted, I would have been a batsman straightaway. I have worked hard to become a batsman that I am. Nothing has been gifted naturally to me.

“I have worked with my coaches at a young age on my batting. That elegance and all is good to see on TV, but when you practise, you need to bring that into your game during practice. Naturally gifted people say all those sort of things, but nothing has been given to me naturally. Everything has come with sheer hardwork.”

No rivalry between me and Ajinkya Rahane

Rohit, who has made good progress in the limited-overs arena after being promoted as an opener, could lose his spot to Ajinkya Rahane, as the latter has shown promising signs while opening for the team in his absence, with even Indian captain MS Dhoni saying demoting Rohit back to the middle order will provide the Men in Blue a greater balance.

Rohit, who averages 43.13 in 33 ODI matches as an opener compared to his overall average of 35.86, however, believes that things will remain the same. He said: “There is no rivalry between us. It is only from the media from where this is coming. In my absence he is opening. This is not really a big issue. In previous times, when Sachin did not play, someone else had to open in his place, so did you ask the same question to him then?

“I have been injured and out of the team and someone else has replaced me in that position. I don't know why it is such a huge debate. Nothing is going to happen. It's going to remain the same. My focus right now is about injury and how I should come back. That's the important factor right now.”