India vs Australia, World Cup Final: Have prepared for this day ever since I became the captain, says Rohit Sharma

On the eve of the 2023 ICC World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad, Rohit Sharma revealed he had prepared for this day ever since he had been appointed India captain in a full-time capacity.

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Rohit, who has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles and India to two Asia Cup trophies, gears up for what will be the biggest match of his career so far, both as a player and skipper.

Hosts India, who have won all 10 matches in what has been an stellar World Cup campaign so far, will hope to sign off from the tournament on a high with their third title in four attempts. In the process, they will also aim to end their decade-long wait for an ICC title, having last won one in the 2013 Champions Trophy.

“We have prepared for this day ever since I became the captain. We had to identify players in the last 2 years, as per the formats. We had given role clarity and lots of discussions between the captain and coach.

“The importance of role clarity is huge for us reaching this platform. We have tried our best to keep the mindset and roles clear. So far so good, hopefully tomorrow as well,” Rohit told reporters in the press conference on the eve of the World Cup final against Australia.

Rohit was part of the Indian team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa as well as the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, but did not make it to India’s squad for the 2011 World Cup in which the MS Dhoni-led side ended a 28-year wait for a second world title. Rohit was part of the Indian teams that reached the semi-finals of the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, under Dhoni and Virat Kohli’s captaincy respectively.

That he had grown up watching 50-over World Cups was further reason why Sunday’s match the “biggest occasion” not just for him but for the rest of the team as well.

“This is a huge occasion without a doubt. Whatever we have dreamt so far is here. This is the most challenging aspect for professional sportsmen as to how you keep such challenges out of your minds and keep your focus.

“This is the biggest moment in our careers and it is important to stay calm and composed because that is where you can execute your plans better. You don’t get to play World Cup finals daily. I have grown up watching 50-over World Cups so for me it’ll be the biggest occasion,” Rohit added.

Among India’s 10 victories in as many outings in this tournament is their six-wicket win over Australia in the opening game on 8 October in Chennai. The spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin weaved a web around the Australian batters, bowling them out for 199.

India, in reply, got off to a shaky start. As many as three of the top four were dismissed for ducks as India were reduced to 2/3 before Virat Kohli and KL Rahul came to the rescue with a match-winning 165-run fourth-wicket stand.

Ahead of their second meeting with the five-time world champions in this tournament, Rohit said he is aware of the manner with which the Pat Cummins-led side has bounced back since their slow start, winning their next eight matches in a row.

“Australia have won 8 out of 8. They have played good cricket and both the teams deserve to be in the finals. We know what Australia can do. They are a very complete side. We want to focus on what we want to do. We don’t want to worry about what kind of form they are in rather focus on our cricket and plans,” added the ‘Hitman’ in the press conference.

Rohit was also asked about the possibility of including Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI ahead of one of the frontline seamers, which many have speculated could be Mohammed Siraj. Rohit, who has maintained a stable XI for a majority of the tournament, however refrained from revealing team news in the presser.

“We haven’t decided on the XI. anyone from the 15 can play. We will assess the wicket and decide on. We have to look at the wicket and then decide and of course the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.

“We will assess the pitch and will see it again tomorrow. Our 12-13 are decided. But we will come and see what is our strength. We will decide tomorrow,” Rohit, who had grabbed a wicket with his part-time off-spin against Netherlands last Sunday, added.

As for the Motera wicket that will be in use for the grand finale, Rohit felt it was slightly on the slower side, and that toss wouldn’t play as much of a role as it would in venues such as Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

“There’s a bit of grass on the track. The wicket from India vs Pakistan was a lot drier. From my understanding, it’s going to be on a slower side. We’ll see the pitch tomorrow and assess. The temperature has dropped a bit as well. I don’t know how much of a factor the dew will be. I don’t think the toss will play a big role,” Rohit added.