New Delhi: It is well-versed that Rohit Sharma’s breakthrough in Indian cricket arrived a bit late than what the traditional Indian batters go through during their budding careers. The Indian opening stalwart now leads the international team in the ODIs and Test cricket in what is a tale of belief and patience. Gautam Gambhir, who recently entered the Indian dressing room as the head coach, has traced the Indian skipper’s journey well of late.
As the Indian cricket team faces Bangladesh in the first Test played in Chennai, on its eve, Gambhir opened up about his rapport with Rohit. Heaping praise on the “Hitman”, Gambhir said that a captain is core to a team’s success and while the coach plays a crucial role, the ultimate responsibility lies within the hands of a leader on the field.
In his conversation with JioCinema, Gambhir also recalled his playing days with Rohit and the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all of whom he watched closely as they grew into key figures of Indian cricket. Gambhir, who is very well known for his honest and blunt takes, remembered how these players fared out when they broke into the Indian squad.
“Rohit was backed despite not having a stellar start, and now he’s a key player. Virat has transformed Indian cricket, along with his fitness culture. Ashwin remains dedicated to being the best spinner in the world, and Bumrah has risen to the top of world bowling. Their experiences will be very useful for the younger generation,” Gambhir said.
Rohit’s leadership qualities
The ex-India opener opened up on how the leadership qualities of Rohit Sharma have earned him immense respect in the Indian dressing room. Gambhir said that Rohit leading the team and the respect that he has earned in the dressing room are crucial as these are the “first and foremost quality of a leader.” He termed his relationship with him while playing together as “fabulous” and hoped that he would continue to be a great human being like he is at present.
Admitting that there will be differences between the two over team decisions, Gambhir said that the final call will always rest with the captain. “There will be disagreements, but the final decision rests with the captain,” Gambhir remarked.
Gautam Gambhir reflected on his rapport with Rohit Sharma over the years, now that the two are leading the Indian team in the combination of a head coach and a skipper. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
