Rohit Sharma: Focus is on achieving number one spot in Tests

Tyre major CEAT limited celebrated the International Cricket Awards 2016 on Monday in Mumbai. The award for the Indian Cricketer of the Year went to Hitman, Rohit Sharma.

Speaking at the event, Sharma spoke about the recently-concluded cricket season and the way forward for him and his teammates in the Test format. India are currently ranked number 2 behind Australia who are six points ahead with 118 points.

“Firstly talking about as a team, 2015-16 has been a good year for us. We won the Test series in Sri Lanka, and beat South Africa at home. Looking at my performance, it was good but at the same time I know what improvements need to be made. I don’t like to dwell on the past because the future will bring with it new challenges.

“A lot of Test matches coming up. Starting off against West Indies followed by a home series. So the focus has to be on performing in the Test series and achieving the number one position in the Test rankings. All the boys who are part of the team are focused on achieving that goal.

“I know it’s not going be that easy but we strive to work hard and try and do everything possible to win,” he said.

On the story behind his jersey number 45, Rohit said: “Well, it’s no secret. I still remember we were in Sri Lanka playing the under-19 World Cup and the match was being telecasted on TV but we didn’t have a jersey number till, it was blank.

“Before the semi-finals, they asked us to choose a jersey number. Everyone took their favourite number. I actually wanted 19 to be my number. No story behind it, I just liked it. But somehow, the number was not available. So I called my mom then and there and asked her to pick a number. She was the one who advised me to choose 45,” he said.

Rohit, who got hitched to Ritika Sajdeh last year, gave us some insights into his married life.

“It’s been good. We’ve known each other for around seven to eight years. The only difference is that she lives with me right now. We used to spend hours at my house before we got married. So the only change is she lives with me now, she feeds me and she takes me for a walk,” he added cheekily.