India batting maestro, Rohit Sharma has said youngsters should have the freedom to express themselves freely since playing flamboyant shots is not a “crime” if they translate into results.
Before becoming one of the best openers in the limited-overs game, Rohit started his international career as a middle-order batsman. He will always remember a memorable 2019 when he scored 10 hundreds across formats, including five in the ICC World Cup.
The 32-year-old opener who shared the experiences of his early days as a cricketer during an interaction with the young trainees at his cricket academy on Thursday said there is nothing harm in playing big shots, adding that all they need to do is to play an extravagant cover drive.
Recalling how he grew up, Rohit said they used to play shots in the air and were taken out of the nets, which was not right because they wanted the results.
He further stated that young players who want to be playing the big shots and look good while batting must think of their game and have an understanding of it.
Rohit, who pointed out that backing the young players is essential to make them confident about their game, said if they want to play the big shots, they need to understand that they need to produce results, as that is what matters in the game.
While noting scoring 100 off 50 balls or 200 balls doesn’t matter as it still is a hundred, he said there should not be any restriction on how the coming generations want to bat, and that’s how they will produce results.
Rohit also wished India U-19 team the best for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, where they will defend their title.
Speaking about the composition of the team, the opener said it looks solid, as always.
As the defending champion, Rohit wouldn’t want to predict another success in South Africa, but he is sure that the lads are going to play hard, having got a great coaching staff.
He is also hoping that they bring back to the trophy in a big platform that India generally tend to do well.
Written by Oladipupo Mojeed
