(Cricket News) Rohit Sharma is pinning his hopes on the significant support his team will receive on home soil to secure victory in the ODI World Cup in India.

India’s most recent ODI World Cup championship was earned at home in 2011, when MS Dhoni and his team lifted the prestigious trophy.

Expressing his aspirations, Rohit, currently situated in the United States, shared, “I’ve never seen it so close. Even when we won in 2011, I was not part of the squad. But yeah, it looks beautiful, so many memories behind the trophy as well, the past, the history. Yeah, so, it looks beautiful and hopefully we can lift it, fingers crossed,” as reported by the ICC.

Commencing on October 5, the tournament will unfold across 10 venues in India.

“I’m well aware that every ground, every venue we travel to will receive tremendous support. It’s the World Cup, so everyone is eagerly anticipating this moment, and the World Cup’s return to India after 12 years… 2011 marked the last 50-over World Cup we played. We had a 20-over World Cup in 2016, but a 50-over World Cup returning to the country after 12 years has generated immense excitement, evident from the buzz already at home. I’m eagerly looking forward to playing at all the venues.”

Reflecting on his World Cup memories, Rohit reminisced, “In 2003, India performed exceptionally well until the finals. Sachin Tendulkar was phenomenal with the bat, amassing numerous runs. Then came the 2007 World Cup, where we faced a challenging time, failing to advance beyond the league stage, which was rather unfortunate.”

“2011 remains etched in our memories, I recall watching each match, each ball being bowled from home. There were mixed emotions; on one hand, I was slightly disappointed not to be a part of it. Initially, I decided not to watch the World Cup, but on the other hand, I remember India performing remarkably well from the quarter-finals onwards.”

Rohit highlighted his standout performance in the 2019 edition, accumulating five centuries. “In 2015 and 2019, I was actively involved, and it felt incredibly satisfying to participate in the World Cup. We progressed to the semi-finals, making every effort to reach the finals and perform well there. Unfortunately, a very unfortunate incident prevented us from reaching the finals,” he expressed.

“Hopefully, as we find ourselves back on home turf, we can strive for a reversal in fortunes. The journey ahead is still extensive. Winning the World Cup isn’t a feat achieved in mere days; rather, it entails sustained excellence over the span of a month, perhaps even a month and a half. Consistency is paramount,” remarked Rohit.

Rohit underscores that the key to triumph in this premier event lies in beginning anew with each match. “I understand that every dawn presents a clean slate. Each day brings a fresh beginning. It’s distinct from Test match cricket, where momentum can be carried forward from one day to the next.”

“In the realm of one-day cricket, within the confines of the limited overs format, that’s the nature of the game. It’s where the challenge lies. Each day demands a new beginning, and that’s precisely where I found myself during the 2019 period,” Rohit explained.

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