Former India Test skipper Rohit Sharma has reflected on his red-ball career, which spanned over a decade. The veteran, who announced retirement from the longest format, ended up playing 67 Tests for India. While initially he did have success in the format - 2013 to 2019, post that he flourished as the opener for the side, amassing over 2500 Test runs. However, the veteran admitted on Monday that red-ball cricket is both challenging and draining, but he managed to handle the demands through meticulous preparation.
The opener ended up scoring 4,301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 40.58. For large parts of his red-ball career, the 38-year-old flourished in the opening role, by taking the opposition bowlers, and enabling quick starts for India like Virender Sehwag did in the early 2000s. Speaking to a CEAT event during a panel discussion on preparation for momentous moments, Rohit said:
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"It is something that you prepare for, because the game demands longevity. Especially in the Test format, you have to last five days. Mentally, it is very challenging, and it is draining as well. But all cricketers have been brought up playing First-Class cricket. When we start playing cricket at a competitive level, even in Mumbai, club cricket (matches) go on for two days (or three days so we are built like that, and it starts at a very young age for us. It kind of makes it a little easier to respond to situations that are there in front of you."
Rohit Sharma's advice to young players on playing Test cricket
Rohit Sharma further went on to state that young players may not immediately thrive on preparation for Test cricket, but it gradually grows on them as they evolve.
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"When I started playing the sport, it was all about having fun, enjoying it. As you go on, you start playing age group cricket, and you kind of keep moving forward from that. Slowly, as you meet a lot of senior players and coaches, they talk about how important it is to prepare well. When you are very young, you don't understand, it gives you a kind of discipline that the game asks for, so it starts with preparation, understanding what exactly you need to do."
The Mumbai batter also highlighted the importance of maintaining peak performance in red-ball cricket by always being mentally fresh.
"It takes a lot when you are playing the longest format, and concentration is something that is the key, because you are speaking about high-level performance, and when you are expecting to put in high-level performance, it starts with being mentally fresh all the time. A lot of work starts behind the scenes. Like I said, in preparation. I have to go back again to that because that is where it all starts. You prepare yourself to sustain for a longer period of time in the field."
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There is no doubt that Test cricket tests you mentally, physically, and emotionally. While a lot of young cricketers get quick fame and money by playing T20 Leagues, nothing comes even remotely close to achieving peak success in red-ball cricket. The India vs England five-match test series was proof of how victories in this format are always hard-earned.
