Rohit Sharma: Virat Kohli infused determination into Team India; to build clear communication to players

New Delhi, December 13: Rohit Sharma, India's new white-ball skipper, lavished praise on his predecessor Virat Kohli for leading the team from the front.

Rohit was named India's new ODI skipper last week and he takes the reins from Kohli as India gear up for the South Africa series.

"He's (Kohli) put the team in the situation where there is no looking back. Those five years that he has led the team led from the front every time we stepped onto the park.

“And yeah! there was a clear grit and determination to win every game, and that was the message to the entire squad," Rohit said in an interview posted on the BCCI website.

”We had a great time playing under him obviously we played and I played a lot of cricket under him and enjoyed every moment and I will still continue to do that," he added.

Rohit said Team India will be looking forward to improving as a side going forward.

"We need to keep getting better as a team and keep getting better as an individual that will be the focus of not just me but the entire squad moving forward.

“That is what we will be looking forward to do is getting better and make sure how we can get better as a team," said Rohit. Rohit Sharma, who has captained India 32 times to date, said he was "deeply honoured" to lead the side.

"I'm deeply honoured and grateful for the opportunity. It's a huge responsibility. I'm absolutely happy about it. I look forward to leading team India in white ball cricket.

“It's going to be an exciting journey, something that I'm looking forward to," said Rohit.

"Whenever I've gotten an opportunity I've tried to keep it very simple, tried to keep one thing in common which is clear communication to the players, making sure that they understand their role," he added.

The Indian limited-overs skipper will make sure there is "clear communication" between the players.

"For us, the coach-captain, it's important to make sure that we have clear communication and clear understanding of a player's role," said Rohit.

"That is something that I will be looking forward to doing, making sure that people do understand what they've been picked for in the team, what they have to do as an individual," he signed off.

“When you are playing cricket for India, the pressure is always going to be high. The pressure is always going to be there.

“There will be a lot of people talking about it; be it positively or negatively. For me, personally, as a cricketer, it is important to focus on my job and not to focus on what people are talking about because you can’t control that. I have said it a million times and I will keep repeating it.”

Rohit said he realised that being the India skipper is a big task and he is mentally prepared for it.

“This is also the same message to the team and the team understand that when we are playing a high-profile tournament, there will be a lot of talks.

“It’s just important for us to focus on what we have in hand; which is to go and win games and play the way you are known for.

“So, those talks outside are immaterial. What we think of each other is more important. You want to share a strong bond between players and that is what will help us achieve the goal we want to."