Rohit Sharma’s leadership has been nothing short of remarkable, and his impact on the Indian cricket team has garnered widespread admiration from fans, players, coaches and pundits.
Now, former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma with his latest statement. Vikram Rathour has had the opportunity to work closely with Rohit since the days when Ravi Shastri was the head coach of Team India.
Vikram Rathour hails Rohit Sharma’s captaincy
He was also part of India’s support squad in the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Recently, the former batting coach praised the Indian captain for his unique approach to leadership.
Vikram Rathour gave Rohit, known for his emphasis on creating a stable and open atmosphere within the team, the title of ‘player captain’ and explained what makes him a beloved figure in the dressing room and one of the most successful captains Indian cricket has ever seen.
Despite the Indian opener’s reputation for being forgetful at times, especially during the toss, Rohit’s focus on the game plan remains unwavering, as Vikram Rathour emphasised that no matter the situation, the captain’s strategic acumen and understanding of the game is always sharp.
Rohit Sharma is very committed to the players: Vikram Rathour
Vikram Rathour said on the podcast “Find a Way with Taruwar Kohli”: “He may forget whether he has decided to bat or bowl at the toss, or his phone and iPad on the team bus, but he never forgets his game plan. He is very good at it and is a very astute tactician.”
Rohit’s ability to maintain clarity and purpose even in high-pressure situations has been a key factor in India’s recent success. Well, the former India batting coach spoke further about Rohit’s involvement in the team’s preparations, saying that he spends a lot of time analysing data and developing strategies behind the scenes.
Rathour also said that Rohit is extremely supportive of his players. Rathour added: “He is the captain of the players. He is very involved with them. I have never seen a captain who is so involved in team meetings and strategies. He spends a lot of time on team strategy. He is part of the bowlers’ meeting, the batsmen’s meeting. He wants to sit with the bowlers and batsmen to try to understand what they are thinking. He invests a lot of time with the players.”
Vikram Rathour reveals Rohit Sharma’s tactical masterclass in the 2024 T20 World Cup final
In the end, Rathour highlighted Rohit’s tactical brilliance as captain and pointed to his decision during the 2024 T20 World Cup final to end Jasprit Bumrah’s overs early against South Africa. The former batting coach admitted that this decision left many baffled but ultimately created a scenario where the Proteas needed 16 runs in the final over.
Rathour admitted that Rohit’s on-field decisions often surprise the coaching staff but the impact of those decisions becomes evident over time. Rohit will next be seen in action in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh next month. His team recently suffered an embarrassing 2-0 defeat in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.