Rohit Sharma crafted a magnificent 140 from just 113 balls to spearhead India’s emphatic victory over Pakistan, but then declared that lifting the World Cup was more important than downing the old rivals.
‘For us, it’s simple,’ said the brilliant 32-year-old batsman. ‘We’re here to win — whether it’s Australia, South Africa, England or Pakistan — for us it doesn’t matter.
‘We’re here on a mission and our focus is to make sure we accomplish that mission.
‘We have to focus on the job at hand and make sure the job gets done.’
Opener Sharma played the key innings in India’s 336 for five, a total which proved well beyond their opponents, but declined to put it at the top of his list of centuries. ‘Every hundred is satisfying,’ he said. ‘It’s hard to put any knock on top because they are all for your country and are really important.’ The only downside for India was the loss to injury of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who left the game with a hamstring strain, although the injury is not thought to be serious.
For Pakistan, who eventually fell short by 89 runs, there are bigger issues, and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed gave an honest assessment.
‘We won a good toss but we didn’t capitalise on it, we didn’t bowl in the right areas,’ he said.
Sarfaraz and his side now need a miracle to reach the semi-finals. ‘It’s disappointing,’ he admitted. ‘It hurts.’
Asked what they needed to do to improve, he joked: ‘If I become Pakistan coach I will tell you.’