On the eve of the first T20I against West Indies in Kolkata, India captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that the players have been given a clear message: “focus on the colour Blue” of Team India and not what has happened in the IPL 2022 mega-auction in the weekend gone by.
Some of the players earned contracts worth millions at the mega-auction and are excited to play in the IPL for their respective franchises. However, Rohit Sharma and the team management had asked them to focus on the imminent games – that is the T20I series against the West Indies.
“It was understood that the guys will go through some emotions, some ups and downs,” the Indian
“Yesterday, we had a great meeting with everyone and asked them to focus on the colour ‘Blue’ for the next two weeks which is very, very important. Whatever has happened has happened and whichever team they are going to play, that’s for the future.
“Right now, the focus of next two weeks is to play for India. All these guys are professionals…nothing else matters,” the skipper’s message was clear.
Sharma also stressed that the roles of his players in their respective IPL teams will not be considered at the national side. For example, Venkatesh Iyer had his success at KKR last season as an opener, however, in his handful of India games so far he has batted in the middle-order.
Ishan Kishan has been used as an opener by India while he floats around for Mumbai Indians. Shreyas Iyer’s role in the national side has been different as compared to Delhi Capitals.
“Honestly, there is no consideration of IPL here. We are not going to look at where they are going to bat in IPL. What matters is where they are going to bat for Team India, as simple as that.
“These guys play different roles for their respective franchises but what we need here from these guys is very important. We will be focusing on that and not IPL. We will take care of the IPL later,” Rohit Sharma added.
Sharma further emphasised his and team’s focus is on the national side currently and not the IPL.
“I don’t want to talk about IPL here. It’s important we keep our focus on Team India rather than IPL. It’s played for only two months, whereas we play for India the next 10 months. It’s important that we keep our focus here at the moment,” Rohit Sharma said sternly.
