Fit again after undergoing surgery to his thigh muscle that kept him out of cricket for five months, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said although it was frustrating he was keen to get back on the field now.
"It feels a long time, actually more than five months. I am looking forward to getting back on to the field. I missed a lot of games, but its part of any sportsman's career when injury happens. I am not looking backwards and want to start the season on a high," said Sharma at his first media conference leading into MI's first game of IPl 10 against Rising Pune Supergiant on April 6.
He conceded that he feared the worst when he heard a loud pop when taking a single in the ODI match against New Zealand at Vishakhapatnam.
Sharma missed the entire series against England and the four Test match rubber against Australia.
"To be honest I was scared; it's something that had never happened. I heard a loud noise when taking the run. I got the MRI done but once days passed by we contacted a lot of doctors and spoke to (Indian team physio) Patrick Farhart as well. They all gave me confidence that it's not a major problem and was a small injury. I went through it quite comfortably," Sharma explained.
He did not agree that the injury was a setback to his career.
"I am just 29. Five months missing cricket does not do any bad. These things will happen in future too. In your career you will miss games. It has happened before and now it does not come as a surprise. It's important for me to stay strong and focus ahead. I am looking forward and there's so much cricket coming up."
The Mumbai-born player said it was frustrating to sit out during his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and watch his Indian teammates take on strong opposition like Australia after getting injured during the ODI series against New Zealand.
"It was tough sitting in the hotel room and watching the team play. Yes, you have to go through it and I have done it many times. I was focusing on how quick I could get on the field. I give a lot of credit to NCA staff.
"When you have a big injury you tend to lose muscle strength. It was a big challenge to get it back and become lot stronger. Thankfully I am back on field and ready to play again," he added.
Sharma, who took over captaincy reins from Australian Ricky Ponting after six games in 2013, was gung-ho about his team's bowling attack this season comprising lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell McClenaghan from overseas and up and coming India's limited overs specialist, Jasprit Bumrah.
"We might surprise a team or two with the kind of bowling attack. It's a long tournament and we can't think too far ahead. We have to break it into parts. We play five games in first 18 days here and I see it as an advantage."
He conceded that in 2016 the team was not consistent enough to go all the way to retain the title which it won for the second time in 2015.
"last year we were not consistent enough. It's a fast- paced tournament and we play every second or third day. We have to break into parts. We want to start well. Our first opposition is Pune and they have a pretty exciting squad with some new faces."
He was happy to work with new coach and former Sri lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene who has taken over from Ponting.
"Mahela and (bowling coach) Shane Bond (of New Zealand) are working on their (Pune) line up. When we go on field we are not short on information.
"I am looking forward to work with Mahela who I have seen from the other side. He's a legend. I am counting on his experience and knowledge. He will be able to guide us if we are in trouble."
He did not find excuses for last year's poor show that was prompted, in a way, by the shifting of MI's home matches from the Wankhede Stadium to Vishakhapatnam after a court verdict.
"The shift came at the last moment and the pitches at Vizag definitely did not suit our game. Having said that, it's not an excuse. We did not get adjusted to conditions quicker. Whatever the ground, you have to play as a unit. It's no excuse for not qualifying (for the play offs).
"It was a learning curve and we know now what to expect, if a game or two get shifted, you have to be ready to perform if you are a champion side."
He expects the Wankhede pitches this year to have a consistent bounce although they would get slower as the tournament progresses.
"Anything you do at the Wankhede the bounce will be consistent, but as the tournament goes on the pitches become slower and slower, not only at Wankhede but all over India, as its peak summer."
‘India-Australia series was best of all’
Praising the highly competitive nature of the recently concluded four-Test series between India and Australia, fit-again batsman Rohit Sharma felt it was the best among the four home rubbers this season. "The last series against the Australians was the best among the 3-4 series at home because of the way it went through from the first Test. losing the first Test and then bouncing back to win two Test matches (to win the series 2-1) was a fantastic effort (by India)," said Sharma here on Sunday.
The flamboyant batsman, who played in the first of the three Test rubber against New Zealand before getting injured to miss the rest of the Test season, said the beauty of the series was the fact that different individuals came through to fill the gaps and performed well too. "It was not about one individual; a lot of guys came in at different times, took up the challenge and performed, which is why it was the best series. The wickets were not easy and were challenging for batters. It was wonderful to watch from outside."
He insisted that although both teams fought hard they never crossed the limits and felt some incidents were blown out of proportion. "India-Australia series have always seen good rivalry over the years and I was not surprised at what happened. When you play against a top side in the world, these things are bound to happen. As long as one remembers not to cross limits it's good.