WTC Final 2023: Important to think about the present and not the past or future, says Rohit Sharma

India captain Rohit Sharma has said that his team will not dwell on the past as they hope to end the long wait for an ICC title. India will take on Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final at The Oval in London starting Wednesday (7 June).

WTC Final: All you need to know

The Asian powerhouse has not won an ICC title since 2013 (Champions Trophy) and has since lost in the final of an ICC event thrice — 2014 T20 World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy and 2021 WTC Final.

Rohit was asked about the decade-long drought in the pre-match presser and the Indian captain said that the team is focussed on the present and not on the past or the future.

“No, see we know what we have won and what we have not won. There is no point in thinking about it again and again,” Rohit said on the eve of the WTC final 2023. “Last year when we were in Australia for the T20 World Cup, we were asked the same question, and I answered the same question.

“The players know when India won and when they didn’t. I don’t think it is right to think about it again and again. You have to focus on the situation and how we can do better. All the players and coaching staff are focused on how we can do well in this match and win. Because what has happened and what is going to happen in the future, there is no point in thinking about that. It is very important to think about the present. Our team’s focus is on how we will win this match.”

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Rohit also refused to reveal India’s playing XI for the WTC final and said that the decision will be taken on the day of the match.

It’s the first time in 140 years history of The Oval that a Test match will be played at the stadium in June. Generally, matches are played at The Oval in the late part of the English summer and this can impact the teams’ combinations

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