IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma feels lucky to be playing cricket when many are not able to work due to pandemic

MI will begin their IPL 2021 campaign in the tournament opener against RCB on April 9.

Rohit Sharma led MI to IPL title win last year in UAE | IPL/BCCIEver since the international cricket resumed post COVID-19 hiatus, the players have been forced to stay in bio-bubbles, where their life is restricted to hotels and stadiums.

While most of the cricketers are finding it mentally challenging, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma has a different outlook towards it.

See Also: Suryakumar Yadav calls Rohit Sharma the perfect guy to be around off the field

According to Rohit, he is lucky to be playing cricket at a time when many, living outside the safety of bio-secure environment, are struggling to do their favourite activities.

"A lot of people are going through hard times, a lot of people are not able to work, not able to do what they like to. At least we are lucky that we are getting to do what we like," Rohit said in a video, which was posted by his IPL franchise on Twitter.

"At least I am happy playing cricket which is what I love at the end of the day. If we have to adjust, we have to adjust. And try and see how you can get the best out of, you know, this bubble life as well," he added.

After a lengthy COVID-19 hiatus, India’s international assignment returned with the tour Down Under, where the team won the T20I and historic Test series after going down in the ODIs.

Subsequently, Team India defeated England in all forms of the game at home.

Recalling the recent triumphs against Australia and England, Rohit said: "... The whole world has seen what we did there in Australia. The performance we put in as a team was so pleasing to see, especially by the younger players who have just come in to the squad. Taking up the responsibility, rising to the occasion, which was so great to see.

"So that was Australia and then we were playing England in India. Again, beating England in all three formats. All the players put their hands up.

"England is a very, very competitive side and they have done really well in the last few years. And to beat a team like that gives us a lot of confidence moving forward," he further remarked.

Rohit also recounted the times spent inside a bubble in the UAE during last year's triumphant IPL campaign with Mumbai Indians.

"For me it was a little tough because I was injured during the IPL and I had to go back and get my hamstring sorted. So it wasn't easy and then we had a very challenging tour of Australia after that and I missed quite a bit of it.

"We have had some good times in the bubble, especially during the IPL in the UAE we had some solid memories that we created.

"Plus the bubble life in Australia and now in India, when we played against England. It was good, we got to know a lot of players who usually don't come out of their rooms.

"So we had the team room where we used to and chill and talk about a lot of stuff which was nice, which is something I feel has changed from the previous year. It's nice to have the company around and have that bonding going," he said.

Defending Champions Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL 2021 campaign in the tournament opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9 at Chepauk.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 09 Apr, 2021

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