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[Saba Sports News] India, having won ten consecutive matches, was considered the favorite in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad. Despite high expectations, India faced a six-wicket defeat due to a lackluster batting performance, leading Australia to their sixth world title. In response, key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah took a break from international cricket, planning to return for the two-match series against South Africa.
Rohit Sharma, speaking to the media for the first time since the World Cup final loss on November 19, admitted the difficulty in moving past the defeat. He emphasized the need to focus on future challenges, acknowledging the support from fans. Sharma, now concentrating on his batting, expressed his motivation to perform well in the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
“We played well in the World Cup and expected to win. There were shortcomings in the final, and it’s tough to overcome such a loss. However, we must move forward. The encouragement we received was motivating. I’m focusing on my batting and looking ahead,” said Sharma at the press conference.
In a lighter vein, Rohit also highlighted the team’s hard work and their ambition to win the series against Temba Bavuma’s South Africa. While unsure if this could alleviate the World Cup final’s disappointment, he aims to be the first Indian captain to win a Test series in South Africa.
“We’ve never won a series in South Africa, so it would be a major achievement. It might not fully heal the World Cup loss, but it would be a significant step. Our hard work deserves some reward,” he added.