'He was not taking potshots at anyone...': Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma's 'hunger' remark

‘He was not taking potshots at anyone…’: Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma’s ‘hunger’ remark

NEW DELHI: Former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra said that India captain Rohit Sharma’s recent remark about the importance of ‘hunger’ in Test cricket, emphasizing that it was not intended as a dig at any specific individual.

“Rohit Sharma has said that this is the toughest format and if you have to succeed in that, you need a lot of discipline and dedication. He also said that it’s evident if someone does not have that hunger, but he was not hinting at anyone,” Chopra explained.

During the post-match press conference in Ranchi, Rohit Sharma emphasized the significance of players exhibiting hunger and desire to excel in Test cricket, stating that opportunities would be provided to those who demonstrate the requisite passion and commitment.

“It’s a tough format and if you want success and if you want to excel, then hunger is very important. We will only give chances to the ones who have that hunger. You eventually get to know who doesn’t have that hunger to play Tests,” Rohit asserted.

Chopra further elaborated that Rohit’s comments emphasized the importance of commitment and perseverance in Test cricket and reiterated that the skipper was not taking potshots at anyone within or outside the playing group.

“If you hear his entire bite until the end, he also said that there is no one within the playing group or outside who is saying that they don’t want to play. So he was not taking potshots at anyone,” Chopra added.

He emphasized that players who fail to capitalize on opportunities and contribute to team success may find themselves excluded from the Test squad, underlining the importance of consistent performance and determination.

The ongoing series against England has witnessed India rewarding domestic performers such as Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, and Akash Deep with debuts, showcasing the team’s commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding players who demonstrate the hunger and desire to succeed at the highest level of cricket.

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