New Delhi: During a February 2024 Test match against England in Visakhapatnam, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's on-field comments, including the phrase "Koi Garden mein nahi ghoomega," were picked up by a stump microphone.

He was urging his team to display more intensity. Sharma has since explained the context of this remark.

Rohit Sharma's post-match comments, accidentally picked up by a stump microphone over a year ago, have become widely associated with him. He recently explained that he made the remarks because he felt it was a crucial juncture in the game and wanted to motivate his team to peak performance.

"It was in Vizag, I saw the over ended and the players were leisurely walking as if they were in a garden. No one was running, there was no urgency in the field. I was fielding in the slip, we had spinners bowling from both ends. The game was hanging by a loose thread, it was an important game, we had to win. I had told the players in the morning that we need to put in some extra effort but they were having fun in the ground," Rohit said on JioHotstar.

Rohit Sharma emphasized India's need for a wicket at a crucial point in the game, urging his team to increase their intensity.

"So I saw it for two-three overs and then said things can't go on like this, you can't play cricket like this. Everyone was just going with the flow which annoyed me and then I told everyone not to be like that. A partnership was going on, I was desperate to get a wicket. In such moments everyone needs to put in a collective effort. At that moment, I saw everyone being busy with themselves which I didn't like," he added.

Rohit Sharma, playing for the Mumbai Indians in the 2025 IPL season, is experiencing a period of low performance.