Colombo, Sep 1: After scoring a crucial half century for India in the 2nd innings of the 3rd and final Test against Sri Lanka, India's Rohit Sharma sent out a strong message to his critics, especially those on the social media.
On Monday (August 31), the 4th day of the deciding Test at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground, Rohit made 50 runs as India set a 386-run target for the hosts. In reply, Sri Lanka were reduced to 67/3 at stumps.
Speaking to the media after the day's play, Rohit made it clear that he is unfazed by all that happens outside the cricket field. He described all the criticism (including jokes on social media) as "irrelevant".
"What happens outside is irrelevant to me because it is not going to help my cricket. Only hard work, doing what I have been doing in the nets and getting better as a player everyday will help me, and I will stick to it," the right-handed batsman said last evening.
"No one goes through a very clean patch. There will be some sort of up and down in the career of a sportsman. I am no different and I can say things have been up and down, but as long as I am enjoying my cricket nothing can stop me," he added.
Rohit said it is impossible to score a century in each match and he was happy to make a contribution to the team. "Going into this Test, I wanted to make a contribution and you will not score a hundred all the time. Any sort of contribution that can help your team is more than enough for me," he said.
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