'Different' Rohit hopes to hit form

In the spotlight for his recent struggles, India captain says he is intent on doing well in ODIs

- GOMESH S

"WHAT kind of a question is that?," quipped India captain Rohit Sharma after pausing for a few seconds in response to the first query that came his way on the eve of the first ODI against England at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday evening.

The said question was about how he felt coming back to a format which gave Rohit the nickname 'hitman' after struggling in Test cricket over the past four months.

In the past, the 37-year-old would have likely answered this simple and straightforward query with humour, without getting defensive.

Here, however, Rohit seemed a bit different. And understandably so, considering his dip in form, the lack of results, and the pressure that has come with it since the opening-day collapse against New Zealand in Bengaluru several moons ago.