“Yesterday was our practice game and I played the full 40 overs without any issues. So, everything’s fine,” sidelined for five months due to a thigh injury he sustained in October 2016, Mumbai Indians skipper, Rohit Sharma is eager to light up the Indian Premier League this season.
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Sunday, the 29-year-old revealed that those five months were far from easy.
“I was not on a holiday, I was in Bangalore under rehabilitation. If you want to call that as a holiday destination, you may. Injuries are part and parcel of any sportsmen’s career. The most important thing during an injury is, how is your mindset.”
Sharma believes that how one thinks during such periods of injury, plays a major role in ensuring a speedy recovery. Suggesting that it’s always a situation of mind over matter, come what may.
“Rather than thinking what has happened, it’s better you think how I am going to make myself ready as soon as I can. It’s important to not get frustrated. It was tough sitting in a hotel room and watching the Indian team play. I’ve been through it many times before,” he said.
Mumbai Indians (MI) 2017 IPL jersey unveiled
One thing’s clear. Sharma has been through the dark grind of recovering from an injury more than once, but his attitude towards the game hasn’t changed one bit. He’s still the cricketer who’s always intent on putting on a show for the spectators.
“To be honest I was scared when that injury occurred. It’s something that had never happened to me. I heard a very loud noise while I was running between the wickets. Until we got an MRI done, I didn’t know what to expect.”
Having experienced similar situations before, the right-handed batsman is now well versed with the dos and donts of the rehabilitation process. Regaining quality weight was one of his core objectives on the road to recovery.
“When you’re injured, you lose a lot of muscle. It weakens your strength, the big challenge for me was to gain that muscle back, become a lot stronger. Thankfully I am back on my feet and ready to play again. I am still only 29,” he reminds everyone in the room.
With all the hoopla surrounding the recent India-Australia test series, Rohit wasn’t in the eye of the storm but had the opportunity to view proceedings from a distance. On more than one occasion, drama overshadowed the quality of cricket, in a series that was marred by accusations and confrontation.
“It’s always been a good rivalry, I was not surprised with what happened in the series. When you play against a top side, these things are bound to happen. As long as one remembers not to cross the line. Once you’re in the battlefield, you want to try and give everything for your country. Some things were blown out of proportion,” he said.
The ICC is considering introducing yellow and red cards into the game, something that Sharma wasn’t aware of. "This is the first time I am hearing this, I am not aware,” he said with a sly smile on his face. “I don’t know how this is going to work. Time will tell, we have to wait and see how it goes.”
Mumbai Indians will play their opening game of the 2017 Indian Super League against Pune Supergiant’s on April 6th and Sharma is looking forward to learning a lot under the tutelage of new coach, Mahela Jayawardene. Having been a batting consultant to the England team, this is the first time the Sri Lankan has taken up the role of a coach.
“We’ve seen him over the years on the other side. He’s been one of the legends of the game. The way he has led his country is amazing. His experience and knowledge about the game is something I am looking forward to. Once we get into the tournament, at any given point, he will be able to guide us if we see ourselves in trouble. His experience is something that I am really counting on,” he signed off.
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