Cricket World Cup 2019: Unhappy over not making it to 2011 squad, Rohit Sharma on a mission to get trophy home

The Mumbai batsman is the highest run-getter in the ongoing World Cup. With each passing day, he is achieving one or the other feat. Skipper Virat Kohli has always been termed as the 'run-machine', but in this event, it is Rohit who is re-writing the record books.

Rohit wasn't a part of the team which won the World Cup in 2011, but was roped in for the next edition in 2015.

It seems that Rohit is on a mission to get the coveted trophy back home and his coach Dinesh Lad also reckons the same. Lad says Rohit will leave no stone unturned to bring the trophy back home.

"Rohit was unhappy for not making it to the 2011 World Cup squad. I had told him then that he was giving less time to cricket and that as soon as he started paying more attention to the game, he would be one of the best in the business," Lad said.

Lad said: "Rohit's batting has been incredible, giving the message that he is on a mission to lift the trophy."

Rohit has already slammed five centuries in this World Cup and with 647 runs to his name, the Mumbai batsman is within a touching distance of overtaking Sachin Tendulkar's record for most runs in a single World Cup.

Sachin holds the record with 673 runs scored during the 2003 World Cup, followed by former Australia opener Matthew Hayden who amassed up 659 runs in the 2007 edition.

Commenting on Rohit's batting, Lad said: "He is playing his natural game, which is his strength. Yes, he has changed his temperament a bit as now he tries to spend more time in the middle. Before leaving for England, I had advised him to remain in the wicket for at least 10-12 overs. He followed my advice and the result is there for all to see."

Rohit, who is known for hitting big tons, has thrown his wicket away soon after getting to the three-digit mark in this World Cup. On this, Lad said: "He gets aggressive after reaching his ton. He played a poor shot in the game against Pakistan and if he hadn't done so, he could have even reached the 200-run mark. He needs to play calmly after his century."

"I don't feel that Rohit will be under pressure in the semifinal as he looks very confident. He will once again fire when it matters the most," Lad added.

Rohit has been the stand-out batter, says New Zealand Skipper Williamson

New Zealand bowling will hold the key when they take on India in the first semifinal of the World Cup at the Old Trafford on Tuesday and skipper Kane Williamson believes that his boys are up for the challenge.

"Yeah, I think the bowlers have been brilliant throughout this whole campaign. We know that in cricket every day is different. Some days are better than the others, so just trying to adapt as a unit as best you can is definitely the most important thing. By and large, the players have done that outstandingly well. But we know that we've got a different challenge coming up tomorrow, in different conditions too," Williamson said on the eve of the match.

Talking about Indian batting is incomplete without mentioning the in-form Rohit Sharma and the Kiwi skipper said that his team was ready to take on the man who is enjoying the form of his life in this World Cup.

"As a bowling unit, first and foremost, it's about assessing the conditions. Rohit has been clearly the stand-out batter in this tournament so far and he has been batting beautifully.

"But, as we know, we are going into a semifinal. It is another day where both sides will be trying to adjust to the conditions as quickly as possible and both teams will be looking for early wickets, regardless of what their name may be. But, without a doubt, he (Rohit) has been superb throughout the tournament," Williamson said with a smile.

with IANS inputs