NEW DELHI: Making his first public appearance since retiring from Test cricket in May this year, Rohit Sharma spoke about the challenges of the format but stressed that he learned to handle them through rigorous preparation.

India ODI's captain Rohit, who also retired from T20Is following the team's victorious World Cup campaign last year, did not enjoy as much success as in limited-overs cricket, finishing with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.58 in 67 Tests.

"It is something that you prepare for, because the game demands longevity. Especially in the Test format, you have to last for five days. Mentally, it is very challenging and it is draining as well. But all cricketers have been brought up playing First-Class cricket. When we start playing cricket at a competitive level, even in Mumbai, club cricket (matches) go on for two days (or) three days so we are built like that and it starts at a very young age for us. It kind of makes it a little easier to respond to situations that are there in front of you," Rohit said while speaking at a CEAT event during a panel discussion on preparation for big moments.

Rohit highlighted that when you're young, you often don't grasp the value of preparation, but with experience, you come to understand that preparation instills the discipline the game demands.

"...when I started playing the sport, it was all about having fun, enjoying (it). As you go on, you start playing age group cricket and you kind of keep moving forward from that. Slowly, as you meet a lot of senior players (and) coaches, they talk about how important it is to prepare well. When you are very young, you don't understand the importance of preparation. But as you go along, you understand, it gives you a kind of discipline that the game asks for, so it starts with preparation, understanding what exactly you need to do."

Rohit stressed that staying mentally fresh is crucial in the longest format, adding that he always had to begin his preparations from scratch.

"It takes a lot when you're playing the longest format and concentration is something that is the key, because you are speaking about high level performance and when you are expecting to put in high level performance, it starts with being mentally fresh all the time. A lot of work starts behind the scenes. Like I said, in preparation. I have to go back again to that because that is where it all starts. You prepare yourself to sustain for a longer period of time on the field."

"It happened exactly the same (way) with me, when I started playing for Mumbai and then went on to play for India. A lot of the focus, a lot of my time was given (on) how I prepped before the game. Because once the game starts, it's all about reaction and you react to whatever is thrown at you, whether it is a pressure situation, whether it is making the right decision on the field with the bat or with the ball. A lot of time was devoted to prep and I'm sure it's not just in cricket, but anywhere, whatever you do with life, I think preparation is the key."