India vs South Africa: It will be a big thing if we win Test series in South Africa, says Rohit Sharma

India skipper Rohit Sharma believes that winning the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa in South Africa would be a “big thing”  his team would have achieved, but was unsure if it would be able to ease the pain of the ODI World Cup final defeat to Australia. Rohit gave his first press conference since India’s six-wicket defeat to Australia in the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad on 19 November. India were on a winning rampage in that tournament on home soil, having won 11 consecutive matches to enter the final unbeaten. However, the Men in Blue fell in the final hurdle with a century from Travis Head (137) and a fifty from Marnus Labuschagne (58*) helping them chase a total of 241. Also read: Why lack of practice games could hurt Rohit Sharma and Co heading into Centurion Test “We have never won a series here and it’ll be a big thing if we do it here. I don’t know whether it’ll be able to take away the pain of World Cup defeat. If we are able to achieve it then it’ll be a good thing. Itna mehnat kiya hai toh kuch toh kitna banta hai (Since we have worked so hard, we deserve this at least),” Rohit said at the pre-match press conference on Monday. Rohit said that the Men in Blue worked hard in their bid to win the World Cup, but after a point, it was important to move on. “The way we played in the World Cup, you expect to go all the way. We worked hard for the cup. There are certain things we didn’t do well in the final. It is hard after a loss like that. But you got to find a way to move on and look forward,” said Rohit. “We got a lot of encouragement from the outside world. That motivated me personally. As a batter, I am batting as well I could. Whatever is in front of me, I’ll look forward to it,” he added. Mohammed Shami has failed to regain full fitness after sustaining an ankle injury during the World Cup and Rohit said his absence will be a big miss. “Very important Test series. We have never won a series here. It’s a big opportunity for us. We came close the last two times. That gives us a lot of excitement and encouragement to do our best. Our seamers have done well in Australia, England and South Africa.  The seamers have actually pull their weight in. Shami will be a big miss,” said the 36-year-old. “He will do well” Ishan Kishan pulling out of the Test series against South Africa means KL Rahul becomes the favourite to don the wicketkeepers’ gloves in the upcoming series. While there’s KS Bharat as well, his lack of playing experience in Tests for India makes Rahul an ideal candidate for the keepers’ slot. “I felt the way he (Rahul) kept in the World Cup, he worked really hard and was impressive. It gives us the option to play a solid batter in the middle order. He does most of things right when he bats in the middle order in ODIs. He knows the situation and how to bat. I am not sure how long he wants to keep but as long as he does, he’ll do well,” said Rohit. KL Rahul, though, has not kept wickets for a full Test match but Rohit said that it was important every player goes through the transformation phase. “Every cricketer has to go through some kind of transformation or a different sort of role in their career. There are a very few players who have just stuck to one position to play throughout their career on that position.” “He bats really well, understands the game really well, and obviously an experienced player. KL Rahul exactly knows what is required at different stages of the game. It gives us a solid balance with an experienced player in the middle. I’m not sure how long he wants to keep, but as of now he is quite keen to take up that role,” added Rohit.