'Hitman' Rohit eyes crowning glory in World Cup final

AHMEDABAD, India, Nov 18 (AFP): Rohit Sharma will carry a billion hopes when he leads India out for the World Cup final on Sunday, the pinnacle of a journey which began in poverty but which has led to a personal fortune of around $25 million and the high-pressure captaincy of the national cricket team.
The swashbuckling 36-year-old opener, nicknamed "Hitman" for his ability to get big scores quickly, has accumulated 550 runs at the tournament in a chart led by teammate Virat Kohli (711) ahead of Sunday's showdown with Australia in front of around 130,000 fans.
Captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday said his players understand the pressure of being Indian cricketers and remain "calm and composed" for the World Cup final against five-time champions Australia.
The hosts are undefeated in 10 matches and will eye their first global trophy in over a decade in front of around 130,000 fans at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
"Leading up to every game we have been quite composed, quite calm about what we want to do, because we know how it is outside the environment we have," Rohit told reporters.
"The expectations and the pressure, criticism and everything, so it's important we stick to our strength and what we want to do as a team."
"Inside what they (players) feel I can't tell you, but when they are around the group, everybody seems to be quite relaxed and calm. Being an Indian cricketer you have deal with pressure, that's a given, it's there."