Indian captain Rohit Sharma is set to speak to the media and reporters in a press conference ahead of the 1st Test of two-match series against Bangladesh, in Chennai.
The press conference is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, September 17 in the afternoon at around 1 PM IST.
The Indian team had taken part in a three-day training camp ahead of the first Test match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.
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The new Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel had joined up with the squad in Chennai along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, assistant coaches Ryan Ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar.
Rohit is expected to provide several key insights regarding the selections, pitch conditions at the venue, Bangladesh's recent triumph against Pakistan and more importantly the plan for the start of a hectic Test cricket season.
The Sporting News will cover the talking points and quotes from the Indian captain's press conference below.
Rohit Sharma press conference: LIVE updates ahead of India vs Bangladesh Test in Chennai
The Indian skipper will address the media ahead of the upcoming Test series. Here are all the highlights and live updates of the press conference, which has now been rescheduled to 1:45 PM IST:
"Not a dress rehearsal" - Rohit Sharma says that every Test match is important due to the World Test Championship
"Every Test match is a big one. This is not a dress rehearsal. We are playing for our country. Every game is important. Every game becomes important because the World Test Championship (WTC) is at stake and the table is wide open."
"We want to win every game. We want to win here in this test match and the series, rather than looking too far ahead. We are starting to play again after a long time of 1 month now. It is nice to have everyone back. When the Test match starts, we will see where stand and take it [make plans] from there."
Rohit Sharma press conference: Will KL Rahul slot directly in the middle order of the Indian Test team?
"Some things are very straightforward, and we don't need to think much about it. When we select the playing eleven, a lot of thought goes behind what people have done for last 2 or 3 series, their form, their reputation of what they have done in the last 15 years, what experience they bring to the table, and what impact they can make in the team."
"We discuss this based on what we feel is right about an individual player. Somethings are right there in front of you, and we just have to pick them up and put them in the block."
Rohit Sharma on injuries and updates ahead of Bangladesh Test series
In the last series at home, we had many injuries, and they missed that series. Now, a few are at the NCA [National Cricket Academy] but majority are here [with the Test squad in Chennai], and we will pick the playing 11 based on how we want to play and to have the best chance to win the Test match."
IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma on playing Test cricket after a break of six to eight months
"It is always tough when you don't play for a period of 6-8 months. The good thing is most are quite experienced, and this is not the first time we haven't played test cricket for 4-5 months. It has happened previously as well."
"That is why the training camp in Chennai which started on [September] 12th was important. We spent good time getting it all together. People are experienced, so they manage themselves really well. Those who have not played much Test matches also got to play in the Duleep trophy. We are quite ready for this Test season and what lies ahead. We utilised the time pretty well at the training camp."
Rohit Sharma press conference: Will the team rotate players during the Test cricket season against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia?
"We will always keep that on the back of our minds. We want all the best players to play all the games, but it is not possible. There are T20s and ODI series happening between the next 2 test series as well. We will manage the bowlers around the plans we have made."
"It depends on the workload that has been carried by them in these games. We will monitor them like did against England where we rested Jasprit Burmah and Mohammed Siraj. The right time to give break to players will be decided by the physios and management. We have got a lot of bowlers who are there to play. We also saw in the Duleep trophy - there are many exciting prospects waiting in the wing."
Rohit Sharma press conference: Are ICC tournaments more important than the bilateral series?
"Look there were lot of chatters about ICC tournaments but if we don't win bilaterals, talks will start going about how we should have won this, but we lost. With India, it is a different ball game unlike in other countries."
"I can only talk about India. Every series and tournament become important - we want to win. there is no way we can relax after winning one trophy [T20 World Cup 2024]. As cricketers, we have got limited time to make impact in the sport we play. We will try to win everything we can. That is what runs in my mind - how can we win? It is the same for the players as well."
Rohit Sharma talks about KL Rahul's form and role in the Indian Test team
"Look, there are only a handful of players in world cricket who have had a smooth ride since start of cricket as a sport. Only few have had no issues in their life. Everyone else has ups and down in their career."
"The best thing you can do is understand yourself and understand what is expected of you from team. With KL the kind of quality he has, everyone knows he has the calibre."
"After taking over as captain of the team, our message has been simple - we wanted him to play all games and bring the best out of him. It is our duty to give clear message, and we have done that. Since he has come back, he has played some good knocks, got a Hundred in South Africa, 80-odd in Hyderabad and then he got injured and did not play a lot of games after that.
"The guy has got the talent. I hope he continues from where he left. He has the skill to play against pace and spin. He has the technique to flourish in Test cricket."
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Rohit Sharma on youngsters and new players in the Indian Test team
"You don't need to speak too much to them. They are very new to Test cricket - [Yashasvi] Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan. We saw glimpses of what they can do with the bat and Jurel especially with the gloves."
"They have everything required to be top players for India in all three formats. We have to nurture, groom and talk to them. In this sport, it all depends on what they think in their mind. They know what to do, they want to succeed, they are hungry."
"Jaiswal had great series last time. Jurel showed that he is capable with getting runs under pressure, and under tough situations. Sarfaraz is fearless, and not worried too much about outside talk."
"We need all sort of players, not just one-dimensional players - we need ones who can be fearless, at the same time cautious and responsible."
Rohit Sharma on Gautam Gambhir, Morne Morkel and new Team India support staff
"There is new staff, that is true. Gambhir and Nayar, I know them very well. I have faced against Morne Morkel which was tough cricket."
"Maybe I have played 1-2 matches against Ryan ten Doeschate but from what I experienced in Sri Lanka with them, they are sensible and understanding personalities. They adapted really well to the team."
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"This is the second series for Gambhir and Nayar. We knew that all coaches have different styles of running teams. I was prepared and ready that it was going to be different from Rahul Dravid's coaching style. We need to understand their methods and perspectives and adjust. Thus far, there has been no problem and issues. If there is understanding, everything is great. We have that [understanding] currently."
Rohit Sharma on Bangladesh being confident of facing India after series victory against Pakistan
"India has to beat everyone including Bangladesh. All teams like the idea of beating India, let them enjoy their talk. We cannot think what they are talking about us. Even England when they came, they talked a lot about us, but we focused only on bringing the results in our favour. We are focused on playing cricket, and not on opposition [chatter]."
"India has played cricket against all opponents, so there is no unique strategy. Whether it is Australia, England, Bangladesh or New Zealand, we don't have any new and different plans. We will discuss about new players in their team and move forward."
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When and where to watch the Rohit Sharma press conference ahead of India vs Bangladesh Test series?
The press conference of the Indian captain Rohit Sharma will start at 1:45 PM IST and can be live streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website.