NEW DELHI: The dejection of not winning the World Cup title was clearly evident on skipper Rohit Sharma's face when he came to face the media for the first time since the ICC ODI World Cup final on November 19. When asked about his cricketing future, especially the T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in June next year, Rohit looked uncomfortable while answering the question and just said that 'he wants to enjoy the game'.
"I want to play whatever cricket is there in front of me," he said during the pre-match press conference.
Rohit is set to lead India in the two-match Test series against South Africa in South Africa. The opening Test will kick off on December 26, the Boxing Day Test, and the Mumbaikar is confident to take India to their first-ever Test series win in the Rainbow Nation.
Rohit, who captained India to the World Cup final where they lost the title clash by six wickets against Australia, said, as a leader, he wants his team to "achieve" what other Indian sides in the past have failed to do in South Africa.
Since their first Test series in South Africa in 1992, India have never achieved success there.
The skipper wants his unit to be the first one to win a series in the Rainbow Nation in India's ninth attempt since 1992.
1/10:Top ODI knocks of Rohit Sharma in 2023
TOI Sports
2/10:131 vs Afghanistan in Delhi
<p>After starting the ODI World Cup campaign with a zero against Australia, India skipper Rohit Sharma scored a majestic 131 off 84 balls against Afghanistan in their second match. <br /></p>TOI Sports
3/10:131 vs Afghanistan in Delhi
<p>Hitting five sixes and 16 fours, Rohit added 156 runs for the opening wicket with Ishan Kishan (47) as India chased down the 273-run target in just 35 overs with 8 wickets in spare.<br /></p>TOI Sports
4/10:86 vs Pakistan in Ahmedabad
<p>Rohit Sharma followed his century against Afghanistan with a match-winning half century against Pakistan in their next ODI World Cup match, hitting six sixes and six fours.</p>TOI Sports
5/10:86 vs Pakistan in Ahmedabad
<p>After the bowlers bundled out arch-rivals Pakistan for just 191, Rohit led the small chase with a quick-fire 86 off 63 balls. India completed the chase in just 30.3 overs for a comprehensive win.</p>Getty Images
6/10:87 vs England in Lucknow
<p>In a low-scoring World Cup contest in Lucknow, Rohit Sharma played a mature knock of 87 off 101 balls against England. India managed to put up just 229 for 9 batting first in tough conditions.</p>Getty Images
7/10:87 vs England in Lucknow
<p>It turned out to be enough for the hosts as Mohammed Shami (4/22) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/32) bundled out England for 129 in 34.5 overs.</p>Getty Images
8/10:40 vs South Africa in Kolkata
<p>India captain Rohit Sharma set the tone for India's big total against South Africa in their ODI World Cup match at the iconic Eden Gardens.</p>Getty Images
9/10:40 vs South Africa in Kolkata
<p>India's opening batter scored 24-ball 40 with the help of two sixes and six fours as India posted 326 for 5 batting first and won the match by 243 runs.</p>Getty Images
10/10:47 vs New Zealand in Mumbai
<p>In the crucial ODI World Cup semi-final against 'nemesis' New Zealand, Rohit Sharma set the tone for a big total for the hosts.</p>Getty Images"Want to achieve what nobody has achieved in this part of the world," Rohit said.
"These are very important matches in terms of where we stand as a team. Also to look back that we have never won a series here as well, it's a big opportunity for us to do well here," Rohit said on the eve of the opening Test.
"We came pretty close the last two times when we toured here but again we have come to this place with lot of confidence to try and achieve what nobody (Indian) team has ever achieved in this part of the world," the skipper said, exuding confidence.
So will it act as a balm for World Cup final defeat and he was straight?
"I don't know whether a Test series win in South Africa can be a balm for a World Cup final defeat. I mean World Cup is World Cup. Itni mehnaat ki haai, kuch toh result milein. (We have been working so hard, it's time we get some big result). We all want that," Rohit answered typically in his own sweet style.
KL Rahul is expected to keep wickets in the first Test but the skipper said it will be up to the wicketkeeper-batter to decide how long he wants to don the gloves in the five-day format.
"I am not sure how long KL Rahul would want to keep wickets but he is keen as of now," said Rohit.
India's World Cup hero, Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the series with an ankle injury and Rohit termed the speedster's absence as a big loss.
"Shami will be a big miss for what he has done for us over the years. Someone will fill up (the) hole but it won't be easy," he said.
