Veteran Indian batter and former captain Rohit Sharma says he knows that speculation won't stop while he is playing, but he would rather focus on scoring runs instead of fighting it.
He was talking after scoring an incredible 138 at Lord's on Sunday against England. Rohit, however, could not prevent India's 27-run loss and didn't look his usual self, possibly trying to mask the insult and hurt he must have felt. The century stand with Virat Kohli, who smashed 74, raised visions of an improbable win despite the steep chase of 388. It didn't happen, but their on-pitch understanding was still as smooth as it was a decade and a half ago.
"We (him and Kohli) played our entire careers together, so it was nice to have him in the middle; we have had so many partnerships. It's fun batting together as we understand each other so much, bouncing ideas off each other," Rohit said.
"The noise has been there since I made my debut. Until I am going to stay here, it is always going to be there, so it doesn't really matter too much," the 39-year-old, who became the oldest Indian centurion and the first from the country to score a ton in 50-over cricket at this age, told BCCI.tv.
"What really matters is what I do on the field, trying to contribute to the success of the team. That's where all my focus is. Let the noise be there; if there is no noise, there is no fun. My job is inside, their job is outside, that's how I look at it.
"My job is with the bat, to come and play, to represent my country; that's what I have been told to do since I made my debut, so that's what I am going to do," added the man, who is within touching distance of 12,000 ODI runs.
Under pressure, his 34th ODI ton was one of his best knocks in recent times. Rohit said he has always enjoyed playing in England.
"I love playing in England. The atmosphere, the grounds, the pitches—when you turn up to play any format over here, it challenges you in different ways. And that's what you want as a cricketer: to be challenged in every way possible. I enjoyed it out there in the middle," he said.
