"Talks That ODI Cricket Is Losing Its Appeal Are Nonsense": Rohit Sharma

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday dispelled the perception that ODI cricket is in danger of losing its appeal, saying all formats of the game are important to him. With the mushrooming of T20 leagues leading to a packed calendar and forcing top players such as Ben Stokes and Trent Bolt to take some hard calls, doubts were recently raised over the future of the 50-over cricket.

"Mera naam hi one-day cricket se bana hai. Sab bekar ki baatein hai (I made my name from one-day cricket. These talks are nonsense). People were earlier talking about Test cricket (being in danger)," Rohit told reports on the sidelines of a promotional event here.

"For me, cricket is important, be at any format. I'd never say that ODI is getting finished or T20 is getting finished or Tests are nearing an end.

"I wish there was another format as well, because for me, playing the game is most important. It's an individual choice as to which format to play or not, but for me, all three formats are important," he added.

Rohit's next assignment will be the Asia Cup in Dubai, starting later this month. India open their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan.

The last time the two sides met was at the T20 World Cup last year when India were handed a heavy 10-wicket defeat.

"We played Pakistan last year in Dubai, where obviously the result did not go our way. But the team is playing differently now and has prepared differently, so a lot of things have changed from then.

"We need to assess the conditions, keep in mind the fact that we will be playing in 40-plus degrees (temperatures). We need to assess all those factors and prepare accordingly." India, who are the defending champions, will be vying to win the continental showpiece for a record eighth