"Yes, we didn't qualify [for the knockouts in 2021], but that happens. It doesn't mean we were not playing freely. Lately also we haven't made any such changes; we are playing in the same manner but we have given the freedom to the players to play their game. Because if you play freely, you will get the performances.

"So those who are outside should have patience. The way we are playing, there will be failures and the results may not always go our way. But that doesn't mean the players are not good enough, or the team is not good enough. It's just that we are trying to do something new. With time, everyone has to change. We are changing and those on the outside should also change the way they think."

One way to make players bat freely, Rohit said, was to ask them to bat as if they were playing for their franchises or state teams, and not think too much about the results.

"We can talk about technique and all during the preparation but in the match, players should be given the freedom," he said. "We are telling them to play the way they play for their franchise or state. There they don't take much pressure, so here also they need to do the same. Of course, international cricket has a different pressure but it's our [the team management's] job to reduce that pressure and, if possible, completely eliminate it. So we are trying to give the boys that environment where they play freely and don't think too much about their performance."

"On the field, we anyway play as a unit, but it is also important that off the field too players stay together, have fun together, pull each other's legs," he said. "That's something which creates a good team environment. So our focus is on that as well, how we can keep the environment light and enjoy ourselves.

"I think his [Upton's] inclusion in the squad will help all of us. He has got so much experience working with different teams at different places. He will definitely bring the mental side of the game into the picture. He has worked with the Indian team before. He was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team and he has had some success in franchise cricket as well.

"He knows a lot of our players as well, he has worked with them closely. The mental side of the game, as we know, is very, very important. With his experience, with his ideology, I think it's going to help us.

"It's [only] his second or third day with the team. He is probably just observing the guys he hasn't worked with. I am sure he will start his work soon, will start talking to the players and get their thoughts as well. And yeah, we are very excited to have him in the squad. I genuinely feel that he can make a difference in this team."