Rohit Sharma has led India from the front in their three unbeaten World Cup matches, boosting his cricket-mad country’s hopes of winning the title at home. The Indian captain has already amassed 217 runs, including a record century against Afghanistan, and is showing no signs of pressure on his shoulders. Rohit succeeded superstar Virat Kohli as white-ball captain in 2021 with the aim of securing the national team a third World Cup and first international title since the 2013 Champions Trophy. Australian CEO Ricky Ponting praised Rohit for handling the pressure of work with ease.
Rohit Sharma bowls into the nets. pic.twitter.com/ZSZ85GtCUz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 17, 2023
“Someone like Virat, who has a bit more heart and probably listens to the fans a bit more and plays with the fans, someone with his personality would probably find it a bit more difficult,” Ponting wrote. in an International Cricket Council column on Tuesday.
Loading 5 wickets vs Bangladesh
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) October 17, 2023
“But I think Rohit will be fine with it. He’s a great guy and has been a great player for a long time, and he’s done a great job leading India.”
Shadab will face tough competition
— Baila Nisar (@BailaNisar) October 17, 2023
The 36-year-old Rohit has achieved franchise success as skipper with five IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians and led India to the Asia Cup title last month in an important test of form ahead of the World Cup.
He will also head the bowling department
— cricketbuzz⁴⁵ (@Mohdyasir6911) October 17, 2023
Rohit Sharma bowling in the Nets.
Hat-trick charge against Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/nv85MO5kRK— RATNISH (@LoyalSachinFan) October 17, 2023
We might see Rohit Sharma bowling in the upcoming matches @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/Jq0JXawbYu
— Rohit Sharma Trends (@TrendsRohit) October 18, 2023
That success would have gone some way to easing the pain when India were defeated under his captaincy in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.
Rohit has never been swayed by expectations and Ponting, once Mumbai captain and then coach, said the experienced batsman takes pressure.
“He’s very relaxed,” Ponting said. “You can even see that in the way he plays. He’s also quite a laconic kind of batsman, and he’s like that both on and off the field.”
Rohit, an opening batsman nicknamed “Hitman” for his ability to score big scores quickly, was out for a duck in the team’s opening win against Australia but was praised for his captaincy.
He soon regained his form with 131 against Afghanistan as he surpassed compatriot Sachin Tendulkar with a record seventh World Cup century.
His ton in 63 balls was the fastest by an Indian at a World Cup, beating Kapil Dev’s hundred in 72 balls against Zimbabwe in 1983.
Rohit returned to form for the much-awaited showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan, hitting a match-winning 86 to see off the opposition as India climbed to the top of the 10-team World Cup table.
In his career, he has amassed 10,329 ODI runs including 31 centuries in 254 matches since his debut in 2007.
Rohit, who was not selected for India’s last World Cup win on home soil in 2011, said he is enjoying the role of leader.
“Nothing in life is impossible, you can make it possible if you believe in it,” Rohit said.
“If you trust, if you have the will to move forward, it is everyone’s dream to be part of the team first and then to be captain of the team is definitely the icing on the cake. I never thought I would ever become captain.”
“I also believe that good things happen to good people. I kept my head straight and continued to work hard on my game. I sit here today with a wonderful opportunity to bring glory to this beautiful country.”
Rohit’s deputy at the World Cup, Hardik Pandya, praised the leader for his ability to get the best out of players through his faith in them.
“Since his arrival, he has supported many boys and we are now seeing the results of how the boys are doing and how they are expressing themselves,” said all-rounder Pandya.
“So that’s why Rohit was so special by giving them enough opportunities and at the same time telling them that ‘you know what, I’ve got your back’.”
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
