Rohit Sharma opens up on squad selection process for ODI World Cup 2023

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma had a difficult time while picking up the 17-men squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. The Indian captain wants to prevent himself from outside criticism as he embarks on a difficult journey to win the country's first ICC trophy in a decade.

The 36-year-old India captain, who is carrying more than a billion dreams, understands what is at risk in the ODI World Cup, which begins on October 5 in Ahmedabad with England taking on New Zealand. The Mumbai-born batter will definitely try to end the trophy drought.

For me, it is important how I keep myself relaxed and not worry about external factors: Rohit Sharma

Rohit told in an exclusive interview,  "For me, it is important how I keep myself relaxed and not worry about external factors that play a role, whether positively or not negatively. I want to shut out everything." "I want to get into the phase I was in before the 2019 World Cup."

He said referring to the last edition, where he scored 648 runs, "I was in great frame of mind and prepared really well for the tournament." "I was in good shape, good mindset. I want to bring that back and I have time to do that. Trying to recollect what were the right things that I was doing before the 2019 World Cup as a cricketer and as a person. I want to revisit that thought process of mine personally."

The skipper further stated, "It's not like, I don't like this person, so I am dropping him. Captaincy is not based on personal likes and dislikes. If anyone misses out, there is a reason for it. If you are the unlucky one, we can do nothing."

On being asked about legacy in Indian cricket after being around for 16 years, he replied "I am not the person who thinks about what kind of legacy I will leave behind. My legacy will be for people to judge and talk about. Not for me to say." He has 30 ODI hundreds, second only to Virat Kohli's 46.