Test cricket is challenging and draining, preparation is key: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma described Test cricket as “challenging and draining”, but credited meticulous preparation as the key to sustaining performance in the format. The 38-year-old, who brought the curtain down on his Test career in May this year, said he learnt to cope with the format’s demands by focusing on discipline and mental freshness.

Speaking at an event on Monday, Rohit underlined how the five-day format tests a cricketer’s physical and mental endurance.

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“It is something that you prepare for, because the game demands longevity,” he said.

“Especially in the Test format, you have to last for five days. Mentally, it is very challenging and it is draining as well. But all cricketers have been brought up playing First-Class cricket. When we start playing cricket at a competitive level, even in Mumbai, club cricket (matches) go on for two days (or) three days so we are built like that and it starts at a very young age for us. It kind of makes it a little easier to respond to situations that are there in front of you.”

Rohit noted that younger players often don’t immediately understand the importance of preparation, but eventually grasp its role in shaping discipline and performance.

“…when I started playing the sport, it was all about having fun, enjoying (it),” he recalled.

“As you go on, you start playing age group cricket and you kind of keep moving forward from that. Slowly, as you meet a lot of senior players (and) coaches, they talk about how important it is to prepare well.

“When you are very young, you don’t understand the importance of preparation. But as you go along, you understand, it gives you a kind of discipline that the game asks for, so it starts with preparation, understanding what exactly you need to do,” he added.

On sustaining high performance in Tests, Rohit stressed the need to remain mentally fresh.

“It takes a lot when you’re playing the longest format and concentration is something that is the key, because you are speaking about high level performance and when you are expecting to put in high level performance, it starts with being mentally fresh all the time,” he said.

“A lot of work starts behind the scenes. Like I said, in preparation. I have to go back again to that because that is where it all starts. You prepare yourself to sustain for a longer period of time on the field.”

The former skipper added that over time, he devoted more and more energy to preparation, both at the domestic and international levels.

“It happened exactly the same (way) with me, when I started playing for Mumbai and then went on to play for India. A lot of the focus, a lot of my time was given (on) how I prepped before the game,” he said.

“Because once the game starts, it’s all about reaction and you react to whatever is thrown at you, whether it is a pressure situation, whether it is making the right decision on the field with the bat or with the ball.

|“A lot of time was devoted to prep and I’m sure it’s not just in cricket, but anywhere, whatever you do with life, I think preparation is the key,” he added.