From Azad Maidan to Team India: Rohit Sharma reminisces his early days

You should never forget your roots, no matter how far you go in life. This is one philosophy that India batsman Rohit Sharma is swearing by nowadays. He recently posted an image on Instagram reminiscing his old days, when he used to play at the famous Azad Maidan at Churchgate, Mumbai.

Rohit shared a photo on Instagram saying, “From Azad Maidan to the Indian Cricket team, it all started here.”

Speaking to Adidas.cricket about his early days as an aspiring Indian cricket, Rohit mentioned how he used to sweat it out 12-hours a day on the field to realise his only dream to represent the country.

Rohit was quoted saying,” “In a country where cricket is religion, the 22 yard stretch that moulded me is what I hold sacred”.

“Sweating it out from six in the morning to six in the evening with just one dream – to bat for India one day”.

“Practicing in the heat, day in – day out. The shade from the trees was my only retreat”

The 29-year old batsman described batting at the Azad maidan, where he strived to hit sixes over the roof of the famous VT station.

Rohit quoted,” “With trees 20 feet high on the on-side, here’s the secret to my favourite shot I learnt in my early years – the off-side cover drive.”

“The days when the only spectators cheering me on were the birds in the trees, voicing & chirping my name”.

“As my coach kept saying – “The Sky is The Limit”, later did I realize he meant it literally. Striving to hit the longest six over the roof of VT station”.

“The towers that bear testimony to the longest sixes I have ever hit.”

Rohit also described how playing for India was his only focus while growing-up.

“It’s never too late to hear your calling. My every day view that fuelled my ambition to strive towards reaching the national team.”

Here’s what Rohit Sharma posted on Instagram:

Rohit is a part of the Indian squad that takes on New Zealand in a series comprising of three Tests and five One Day Internationals (ODIs). Rohit also featured in the only warm-up match for New Zealand against Mumbai.

Rohit is considered one of the most talented players in the Indian side, but is yet to deliver consistently in the longest format. But come the home season, Rohit would be looking to establish himself as one of the mainstays of India’s top-order, as India take on New Zealand, England and Australia in the next one year.