Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has opened up about the heartbreak of being left out of the 2011 World Cup squad as he went down the memory lane prior to ODI World Cup 2023, which is slated to take place in India under his captaincy.
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Rohit Sharma has emerged as the most reliable white-ball cricketer, who over the years not just established himself but also led India to many milestones. Today, he is one of the most prolific batsmen in the world today. He has scored over 9,000 runs in ODI cricket and is the only batsman to have scored three double centuries in the format. However, it wasn’t always so easy for Sharma. In 2011, he was left out of India’s World Cup squad.
As the ODI World Cup 2023 clock is ticking, the ace batter recently went nostalgic. He mentioned 2011 ODI snub as he was not included in the squad. Although Sharma had left a mark out of his batting skills, he then had a few indifferent performances. In the end, the selectors decided to go with experience and picked Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir as their opening batsmen.
Sharma was understandably disappointed by his omission from the World Cup squad. He spoke about it in an interview a few years later.
“It was a heart-breaking moment for me,” he said. “I felt like I had let my country down. But I knew that I had to pick myself up and work hard. I didn’t want to let this disappointment define my career.”
He further said, “I was sad and sitting in my room and didn’t know what to do next.” He also mentioned the unsolicited support he got from the 2011 World Cup star Yuvraj Singh.
The batter took the blow seriously and went on improve his batting. He worked hard on his game and eventually made his way back into the Indian team. He has since become one of the most important batsmen in the team, and he was a key member of the side that won the 2019 World Cup.
Sharma’s experience of being left out of the 2011 World Cup has made him a more understanding and compassionate captain. He knows exactly how it feels to be disappointed by the selectors, and he is always willing to give young players a chance.
In an interview ahead of the 2023 World Cup, Sharma spoke about his experience of being left out of the 2011 squad.
“I know exactly how it feels,” he said. “It’s a very tough feeling. But it’s important to not let it get to you. You have to pick yourself up and keep working hard.”
Sharma is a role model for young cricketers all over the world. He has shown that it is possible to overcome disappointment and achieve great things. His story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever been knocked back.
