In a remarkable display of admiration, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has hailed Rohit Sharma as one of the all-time greats in cricket, asserting that his captaincy is on par with the legendary MS Dhoni.
Rohit Sharma’s leadership has left an indelible mark. Under his captaincy, Team India secured the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies. This victory ended India’s decade-long drought of ICC trophies.
Ravi Shastri’s observations on Rohit’s tactics
Shastri, who witnessed both the 2011 ODI World Cup (under Dhoni) and the 2024 T20 World Cup (under Rohit), praised Rohit’s skills as a captain. His strategic acumen was evident not only in international cricket but also during his tenure with the Mumbai Indians, where he clinched five IPL titles.
When asked to compare the two captains, Shastri couldn’t pick a clear winner. He stated that for Rohit to be on par with Dhoni in terms of tactics is a significant compliment. Both leaders excel in the white-ball game, with Rohit’s calmness and ability to make crucial decisions standing out.
“As a tactician, let’s not forget that he’s been an outstanding guy. He’ll go down as one of the best captains ever alongside Dhoni,” Shastri remarked. “If you ask me who’s better, I’d say both are on par when it comes to tactics in the white-ball game. I can’t pay a bigger compliment to Rohit than that because you know what MS has done and the titles he has won.”
Rohit’s captaincy led India to a T20 World Cup victory in Barbados earlier this year. He became only the second Indian captain to achieve this feat, following in Dhoni’s footsteps from the inaugural edition in 2007.
Shastri highlighted Rohit’s outstanding decision-making during the World Cup. Whether it was deploying bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, or Axar Patel at critical moments, Rohit’s tactical finesse shone through.
“Rohit is not far behind, and I thought tactically he was just outstanding in this year’s (T20) World Cup,” Shastri continued. “Just the calmness, the ability to get a (Jasprit) Bumrah or a (Hardik) Pandya, or even an Axar Patel at just the right time when needed was great to see.”
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Rohit Sharma’s legacy as a captain is firmly established. His name will forever be associated with India’s cricketing triumphs, alongside the iconic MS Dhoni. As the baton passes from one great leader to another, Rohit’s impact on Indian cricket remains unparalleled.
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