Rohit Sharma on Cricket World Cup pressure: I know what's at stake
Captain Rohit Sharma is confident India will handle the pressure of hosting the Cricket World Cup - and being among the favourites to win the title.
Rohit Sharma.The 2023 World Cup will start on Thursday, when reigning champions England play 2019 runners-up New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
India's first match of the tournament will be against Australia in Chennai on Sunday.
"I know what's at stake, and so do the team members, the guys who are part of this team also know what's at stake," said Sharma.
"So, for us, it's just about taking everything out now and just focusing on what we want to do as a team. Not worry about the expectation because that's always going to be there.
"Not worry about who we're playing and not worry about what is happening elsewhere. Because it's time now for us to just be secluded a little bit, and then focus on what we want to do as a team."
India have won the Cricket World Cup twice. The beat West Indies. in 1983's final. In 2011, they beat Sri Lanka in the final.
"All these guys are quite used to going through that pressure, whether it's playing in India or away from India," added Sharma.
"Pressure is something that is not going to leave a sportsman. As long as you are playing sport the pressure is always going to be there. Keep that aside, focus on the job at hand."