Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, experienced a heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final against Australia. This defeat extended India’s wait for the coveted trophy since their victory in 2011. Despite the disappointment, Rohit still has a chance to play in the next World Cup, but the pain of losing at home will linger for a long time. It is worth noting that Rohit was not part of the team when India won the World Cup in 2011, and he has expressed his disappointment about his exclusion at that time.

Looking beyond just the final, Rohit Sharma showcased his ability to play selfless and fearless cricket throughout the tournament. As an opener, he consistently provided a strong start for his team, including in the final where India had a fast start. Some former Indian cricketers criticized Rohit for losing his wicket to a rash shot in the final, but he had already set up a platform for others to build on. Unfortunately, the other batters struggled against Australia’s bowling attack.

In the group stages, Rohit played a crucial role in India’s victory over arch-rivals Pakistan. He scored a brisk 86 runs, effectively ending Pakistan’s hopes of winning the game. Throughout the tournament, Rohit consistently scored more than 40 runs and set the stage for his teammates to put big totals on the board. His role as a batter inspired his crafty tactics as a captain, earning the respect and trust of his team-mates and support staff.

Rohit’s leadership and astute decision-making were evident in his bowling changes and fielding placements. He knew his players well and made strategic moves accordingly. For example, when Pakistan was scoring at a brisk pace, he brought Mohammed Siraj back into the attack, who broke a threatening partnership. Rohit also stood firmly behind his players during tough times, supporting head coach Rahul Dravid’s strategy of focusing on the process rather than the results.

The loss in the final may be painful, but it does not diminish Rohit’s achievements as a captain and player. He is the unsung hero of the tournament and still has the potential to make it to India’s World Cup squad in the future. Rohit will undoubtedly bounce back stronger, as he has consistently shown resilience and determination throughout his career. For now, however, the World Cup trophy remains painfully out of his grasp.

Original news source: Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain who lost cricket World Cup but won hearts (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article and then write a concise summary of the main points. They should focus on capturing the key information and events mentioned in the article.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Each group should discuss and share their opinions on Rohit Sharma’s performance as a captain and player in the World Cup. After the discussion, conduct a poll where students vote on whether they think he did a good job or not, and ask them to provide reasons for their choices.

– Mind Map
Instructions: Provide students with a blank sheet of paper or a digital mind mapping tool. Ask them to create a mind map of Rohit Sharma’s performance in the World Cup. They should include key points from the article and any additional information they remember or find interesting. Encourage them to make connections between different aspects of his performance.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article and write each word on a small piece of paper or index card. Divide the class into teams and give each team a set of vocabulary words. One person from each team should pick a word and draw a picture representing that word, while their teammates try to guess the word. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students imagine they are sports analysts and ask them to make predictions about Rohit Sharma’s future in cricket. They should consider factors such as his performance in the World Cup, his leadership skills, and his potential for future success. Students can present their predictions to the class and explain their reasoning behind them.

Comprehension Questions:

1. How did Rohit Sharma feel after the loss in the World Cup final?
2. How long has it been since India last won the World Cup?
3. Why was Rohit Sharma disappointed in 2011?
4. What was Rohit Sharma’s role in the Indian cricket team throughout the tournament?
5. How did some former Indian cricketers criticize Rohit Sharma’s performance in the final?
6. What was Rohit Sharma’s contribution in India’s victory over Pakistan?
7. What qualities did Rohit Sharma demonstrate as a captain?
8. How does the loss in the final affect Rohit Sharma’s overall achievements as a captain and player?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Rohit Sharma, the (1)______ of the Indian (2)______ team, experienced a heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final against Australia. This (3)______ extended India’s wait for the coveted trophy since their victory in 2011. Despite the disappointment, Rohit still has a chance to play in the next World Cup, but the pain of losing at home will linger for a long time. It is worth noting that Rohit was not part of the team when India won the World Cup in 2011, and he has (4)______ his disappointment about his exclusion at that time.

Looking beyond just the final, Rohit Sharma showcased his ability to play selfless and fearless cricket throughout the tournament. As an opener, he consistently provided a strong start for his team, including in the final where (5)______ had a fast start. Some former (6)______ cricketers criticized Rohit for losing his wicket to a rash shot in the final, but he had already set up a platform for others to build on. Unfortunately, the other batters struggled against Australia’s bowling (7)______.

In the group stages, Rohit played a crucial role in India’s victory over arch-rivals Pakistan. He scored a brisk 86 runs, effectively ending Pakistan’s (8)______ of winning the game. Throughout the tournament, Rohit consistently scored more than 40 runs and set the stage for his teammates to put big totals on the board. His role as a (9)______ inspired his crafty (10)______ as a captain, earning the respect and trust of his team-mates and support staff.

Rohit’s leadership and astute decision-making were evident in his bowling changes and fielding (11)______. He knew his players well and made strategic (12)______ accordingly. For example, when Pakistan was scoring at a brisk pace, he brought Mohammed Siraj back into the attack, who broke a threatening partnership. Rohit also stood firmly behind his players during tough times, supporting head coach Rahul Dravid’s (13)______ of (14)______ on the process rather than the results.

The loss in the (15)______ may be painful, but it does not diminish Rohit’s achievements as a captain and player. He is the unsung hero of the tournament and still has the potential to make it to India’s World Cup squad in the future. Rohit will undoubtedly (16)______ back stronger, as he has consistently shown resilience and determination throughout his career. For now, however, the World Cup trophy remains painfully out of his grasp.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the significance of the World Cup in cricket?
2. How would you feel if you were in Rohit Sharma’s position and lost in the World Cup final?
3. Do you think Rohit Sharma’s exclusion from the team in 2011 affected his performance in this World Cup? Why or why not?
4. What qualities do you think make a good captain in cricket?
5. What do you think about the criticism Rohit received for his rash shot in the final? Was it justified? Why or why not?
6. Do you think Rohit Sharma’s individual performance throughout the tournament was overshadowed by the team’s loss in the final? Why or why not?
7. How important is it for a captain to have the trust and respect of their teammates and support staff?
8. What role does luck play in cricket? Do you think luck played a part in India’s loss in the final?
9. How would you rate Rohit Sharma’s overall performance as a captain in this World Cup? Why?
10. Do you think Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills were evident in his bowling changes and fielding placements? Why or why not?
11. Can you think of a time when you had to support someone during tough times, like Rohit did with his players? How did you handle it?
12. What do you think are the key factors in bouncing back from a defeat or disappointment?
13. How do you think Rohit Sharma’s experience in this World Cup will shape his future performances?
14. Do you think it’s fair to label Rohit Sharma as the unsung hero of the tournament? Why or why not?
15. How would you feel if you were in Rohit Sharma’s position and still had the potential to play in the next World Cup?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. defeat
2. victory
3. disappointment
4. exclusion
5. start
6. total
7. leadership
8. pain

Meanings:
(a) The act of being left out or not included
(b) The act of losing or being beaten
(c) The act of winning or being triumphant
(d) The feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction
(e) The overall amount or sum
(f) The beginning or commencement of something
(g) The ability to guide and direct a group
(h) The feeling of physical or emotional suffering
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who is the captain of the Indian cricket team?
(a) Virat Kohli
(b) Rahul Dravid
(c) Mohammed Siraj
(d) Rohit Sharma

2. When did India last win the World Cup?
(a) 2011
(b) 2019
(c) 2007
(d) 2003

3. What role does Rohit Sharma play in the Indian cricket team?
(a) Bowler
(b) Opener
(c) Wicketkeeper
(d) Coach

4. How did Rohit Sharma perform in the World Cup final?
(a) He scored a century
(b) He provided a strong start for his team
(c) He struggled against Australia’s bowling attack
(d) He played a rash shot and lost his wicket

5. Who did India defeat in the group stages of the World Cup?
(a) Australia
(b) Pakistan
(c) England
(d) New Zealand

6. What did some former Indian cricketers criticize Rohit Sharma for?
(a) Losing his wicket to a rash shot in the final
(b) Not scoring enough runs throughout the tournament
(c) Making poor bowling changes and fielding placements
(d) Not supporting head coach Rahul Dravid’s strategy

7. How did Rohit Sharma’s teammates and support staff view him as a captain?
(a) They criticized his decision-making
(b) They thought he was too focused on the results
(c) They respected and trusted him
(d) They believed he should be replaced as captain

8. How does the article describe Rohit Sharma’s potential for the future?
(a) He is unlikely to play in the next World Cup
(b) He has already reached his full potential as a player
(c) He still has the potential to make it to India’s World Cup squad
(d) He will never be able to recover from the loss in the final

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Rohit Sharma played selfish and fearful cricket throughout the tournament.
2. Despite the victory in the final, Rohit Sharma’s achievements as a captain and player should be diminished.
3. Rohit Sharma was part of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 2011.
4. Some former Indian cricketers criticized Rohit for losing his wicket to a rash shot in the final.
5. Rohit Sharma played a crucial role in India’s victory over Pakistan in the group stages.
6. Rohit Sharma’s leadership and decision-making were praised throughout the tournament.
7. India has won the World Cup since 2011.
8. Rohit Sharma captained the Indian cricket team in the World Cup final against Australia.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How did Rohit Sharma perform as a captain and player in the World Cup final?
2. What role did Rohit Sharma play in India’s victory over Pakistan in the group stages?
3. How did Rohit Sharma’s batting performances set the stage for his teammates?
4. How did Rohit Sharma demonstrate his leadership and decision-making skills as a captain?
5. Despite the loss in the final, what are the overall achievements of Rohit Sharma in the World Cup?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How did Rohit Sharma feel after the loss in the World Cup final?
Rohit Sharma felt heartbroken after the loss in the World Cup final.

2. How long has it been since India last won the World Cup?
India last won the World Cup in 2011, so it has been 10 years since their victory.

3. Why was Rohit Sharma disappointed in 2011?
Rohit Sharma was disappointed in 2011 because he was not part of the Indian cricket team that won the World Cup.

4. What was Rohit Sharma’s role in the Indian cricket team throughout the tournament?
Rohit Sharma’s role in the Indian cricket team throughout the tournament was as an opener, providing a strong start for his team and setting up a platform for others to build on.

5. How did some former Indian cricketers criticize Rohit Sharma’s performance in the final?
Some former Indian cricketers criticized Rohit Sharma for losing his wicket to a rash shot in the final.

6. What was Rohit Sharma’s contribution in India’s victory over Pakistan?
Rohit Sharma scored a brisk 86 runs in India’s victory over Pakistan, effectively ending Pakistan’s hopes of winning the game.

7. What qualities did Rohit Sharma demonstrate as a captain?
Rohit Sharma demonstrated leadership, astute decision-making, and support for his players as a captain. He made strategic moves with bowling changes and fielding placements and supported his players during tough times.

8. How does the loss in the final affect Rohit Sharma’s overall achievements as a captain and player?
The loss in the final does not diminish Rohit Sharma’s overall achievements as a captain and player. He is still considered the unsung hero of the tournament and has the potential to make it to India’s World Cup squad in the future.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) captain
(2) cricket
(3) defeat
(4) expressed
(5) India
(6) Indian
(7) attack
(8) hopes
(9) batter
(10) tactics
(11) placements
(12) moves
(13) strategy
(14) focusing
(15) final
(16) bounce
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. defeat
Answer: (b) The act of losing or being beaten

2. victory
Answer: (c) The act of winning or being triumphant

3. disappointment
Answer: (d) The feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction

4. exclusion
Answer: (a) The act of being left out or not included

5. start
Answer: (f) The beginning or commencement of something

6. total
Answer: (e) The overall amount or sum

7. leadership
Answer: (g) The ability to guide and direct a group

8. pain
Answer: (h) The feeling of physical or emotional suffering
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who is the captain of the Indian cricket team?
Answer: (d) Rohit Sharma

2. When did India last win the World Cup?
Answer: (a) 2011

3. What role does Rohit Sharma play in the Indian cricket team?
Answer: (b) Opener

4. How did Rohit Sharma perform in the World Cup final?
Answer: (d) He played a rash shot and lost his wicket

5. Who did India defeat in the group stages of the World Cup?
Answer: (b) Pakistan

6. What did some former Indian cricketers criticize Rohit Sharma for?
Answer: (a) Losing his wicket to a rash shot in the final

7. How did Rohit Sharma’s teammates and support staff view him as a captain?
Answer: (c) They respected and trusted him

8. How does the article describe Rohit Sharma’s potential for the future?
Answer: (c) He still has the potential to make it to India’s World Cup squad
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Rohit Sharma played selfish and fearful cricket throughout the tournament. (Answer: False)
2. Despite the victory in the final, Rohit Sharma’s achievements as a captain and player should be diminished. (Answer: False)
3. Rohit Sharma was part of the Indian team that won the World Cup in 2011. (Answer: False)
4. Some former Indian cricketers criticized Rohit for losing his wicket to a rash shot in the final. (Answer: True)
5. Rohit Sharma played a crucial role in India’s victory over Pakistan in the group stages. (Answer: True)
6. Rohit Sharma’s leadership and decision-making were praised throughout the tournament. (Answer: True)
7. India has won the World Cup since 2011. (Answer: False)
8. Rohit Sharma captained the Indian cricket team in the World Cup final against Australia. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧