Rohit Sharma silences his fitness critics, says not a lot of cricketers...

NEW DELHI: Indian cricketing stalwart Rohit Sharma recently addressed the topic of his fitness and career longevity, putting to rest the doubts of critics. As he approaches the significant milestone of 500 international matches for India, Rohit emphasized the dedication and discipline required to sustain a top-level cricket career for 17 years.In a conversation on a podcast with Jitendra Chouksey, Rohit opened up on the journey that has brought him close to joining an elite club of cricketers. “To play for 17 years and to play nearly.... I am close to 500 games now for India internationally. Five hundred games, not a lot of cricketers globally have played,” Rohit noted.Only 10 players have surpassed the 500-match mark across formats, and Rohit is set to become the eleventh. He will be the fifth Indian to join this exclusive list, which includes legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli.Rohit attributed his longevity to a strict routine focused on fitness, mental well-being, and preparation.“To have that longevity, there has to be something about your routine. How you manage your fitness, how you manage your mind and how you train yourself. And how do you get ready for the game, most importantly,” he said.With his journey beginning in 2007, Rohit has evolved into one of India's finest openers and a consistent performer across formats.“At the end of the day, our job is to be 100 percent ready for the game and perform to win games. And then, if you go backwards then, in that preparation comes fitness,” added the opener.Furthermore, Team India's ODI and Tests skipper acknowledged the high expectations that come with his leadership and on-field performance.