Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has confirmed there are no major concerns about his physical health after appearing to be in pain in his team’s World Cup opener in New York. The veteran was struck on the shoulder during his half-century knock and walked off the field with 21 runs to get.
“[The arm is] Just a little sore,” Rohit Sharma stated in the post-match presentation after India’s convincing eight-wicket win.
The 37-year-old had attempted a pick-up shot down the leg side in the ninth over against Josh Little when a ball kicked up off length to thump into his arm near the shoulder blade region. Rohit winced upon impact but did not require any immediate assistance and carried on to strike consecutive sixes off the next two deliveries. However, after bringing up his half-century with a four on the penultimate ball of the 10th over followed by a couple, the physios were called on during the drinks break and Rohit subsequently retired hurt as a precautionary measure.
It did not impact India’s winning chances as the Men in Blue comfortably chased down the target of 97 in just the 13th over.
”We were quite unsure of what to expect of the pitch. It’s a new ground, new venue, drop-in pitch. Not really aware of what it is like playing on a pitch, which is five months old. It was all about getting used to the conditions, so that’s why we bowled first to look at the conditions, see how the pitch plays,” Rohit said after their opening duel in New York.
The veteran would next lead the time in the marquee clash against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue, potentially going up against a threatening pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Amir on a track with unpredictable speed and bounce.
“We will prepare as per the conditions like this one. That is going to be the kind of game where all eleven of us need to come together and contribute,” Rohit concluded.
