Rohit Sharma's off-field persona is quite similar to on it. An easy going person that he is, he talks the way he bats. Doing both with ease. Coming after a five-month injury break, the explosive batsman is all set to take the field for the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League.

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The forced break has been frustrating, but it came as a blessing in disguise for the 29-year-old who looked fit and in good shape and ready to explode for his team Mumbai Indians in his favourite format of the game.“It’s been a long time… more than five months actually. I am waiting to get back on the field. I missed a lot of games, but that’s part of any sportsperson’s career when injuries happen. Not looking what has happened in the past, trying to see what comes up and the future looks exciting. I am very excited to start this season on a high,” Sharma told the media persons in Mumbai Indian's first official meet with the press at a city hotel on Sunday.

The stylish batsman, after sustaining an injury in October, had returned to competitive cricket in the first week of March for his state team Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy before being declared unfit. Sharma is hoping to have no more injury interruptions in the future. “Yes absolutely. Yesterday (on Saturday) we had a practice game and I played full 40 overs without any issues. So, yeah, it’s looking good, everything in fine. I am waiting to get back.”

More than thinking about missing the major part of cricket and sulking over it, Sharma said he chose to concentrate on his rehab. “Injury is part and parcel of any sportsperson’s career. These things are bound to happen. Most important thing at that moment is your mindset. Rather than thinking what has happened, it is better to think how I am going to make myself ready. That is how I was thinking about all the time.

It was tough to sit in the hotel room, watching the team play. It is always tough. But I guess you have to go through it. I have been through it many times before. These things happen. I was only focusing on how quicker I can get back onto the field,” he said.

The Mumbaikar looked much fitter and leaner in his post-injury avatar. “In Bangalore, I was doing my rehab stuff with the physios and trainers. They put in a lot of hard work as well as there were a lot of players. Getting them to be match ready was their prime concern. And yes, I give a lot of credit to the NCA staff for putting that effort. It’s the same. He has to go through the rehab because when you have a big injury you tend to lose a lot of muscle and that weakens your strength a bit. So the big challenge for me was to gain that muscle back first and become a lot stronger.”

Sharma revealed he was scared at one point when he suffered the knee injury during the ODI against New Zealand in Vizag in October. “To be honest, I was scared when that happened. It's something which has never happened to me. I heard a very loud noise while taking a run. I was a little scared until we got an MRI done, I did not know what to expect and what it was. But once everything was clear, once the days passed by, we spoke to a lot of doctors around the world and with Patrick as well, they all gave me the confidence saying it was not a major problem, it's just a small injury that you need to go through.”

Ask Sharma if he was scared that the injury almost put his career a few steps back, he says “I don't think so. I am just 29. Injuries are part and parcel. Five months of missing cricket does not do any bad. These things are bound to happen. Even in future, these things will happen. For me, to stay strong and focus ahead is very important.”

'We get along well with Aussies'

While Rohit Sharma may have missed out on the exciting and controversial series between India and Australia due to injury, he said the rivalry between the two teams have been good and the Indian players get along with the Aussies well.

“India and Australia have always been a good rivalry. We have seen that over the years now. So, I was not so surprised what happened in the series. When you play against a top side in the world, these things are bound to happen. But as far as one remembers not to cross the line and stay in the limits, that’s good,” he said.

Rohit said things were blown out of proportion. “It is always a hard-fought battle between these two teams. Once you are on the battlefield, you are trying to give everything for your country. Some of the things were blown out of proportion for unnecessary reasons. Players know exactly what needs to be done on the field and what needs to be done outside the field.

“We are pretty good friends (with the Australians). We all get along well,” he added.