India skipper Rohit hits back at former coach Ravi Shastri

India’s captain Rohit Sharma attends a training session at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2023, ahead of their fourth and final Test against AustraliaAFP

Rohit Sharma on Wednesday angrily dismissed suggestions his India side had become overconfident, calling the criticism from former head coach Ravi Shastri “absolutely rubbish”.

India will look to clinch the series against Australia with victory in the fourth Test starting Thursday in Ahmedabad and book their berth in the World Test Championship final.

The hosts took a 2-0 lead in the four-match series to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before losing the third Test in Indore in just over two days.

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne (L) shakes hands with Australia's Travis Head (R) after Australia's victory during the third day of the third Test between India and Australia at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on 3 March 2023
AFP

Shastri accused the team of “a little complacency, a little bit of overconfidence”.

Skipper Rohit hit back, saying, “Honestly, when you win two games and people on the outside feel that we are overconfident, it’s absolutely rubbish, because you want to do your best in all four games.”

Former India captain Virat Kohli and former India coach Ravi Shastri
AFP

He called his side “ruthless” more than arrogant.

“Ravi himself has been in this dressing room, he knows what sort of mindset we have,” said Rohit.

India lost the previous match by nine wickets on a viciously turning pitch at Indore, but the track at the world’s biggest cricket stadium is expected to give the batsmen some respite.

India captain Rohit Sharma speaks with coach Rahul Dravid
AFP

Rohit though has had enough of the talk about pitches.

“How challenging the pitches are? How much is it turning? How much is it seaming? We are trying to keep all of that away,” said Rohit.