The decision of Rohit Sharma as India’s One-Day International skipper has proved controversial in the cricket world. The experienced opener replaces Virat Kohli, who will now exclusively lead India in Tests. Rohit has enormous challenges to overcome after Kohli’s outstanding performance as the ODI team’s captain. Furthermore, his selection sparked significant controversy because Virat, who stepped down as T20I skipper following the T20 World Cup 2021, had declared and said he would continue to represent the side in Tests and ODIs.
Meanwhile, the BCCI desired only one captain in white-ball cricket. As a result, Rohit assumed responsibility. In terms of his type of leadership, Rohit believes that in a game like cricket, it is critical to maintaining the team mood light and joyful so that everyone can ‘hang around.’ He also praised India’s new head coach, Rahul Dravid, for instilling a “sense of relaxation” among the side.
For something like the uninitiated, India’s 3-match T20I series versus New Zealand the previous month was their maiden task as full-time head coach and skipper, accordingly. The experienced opener shared insight on Dravid’s working approach, saying Dravid knows the equilibrium between performing aggressively and being easygoing.
“Working with Rahul bhai, I mean it was only three-odd games but it was fantastic. We have seen how he’s played his cricket – very tough, hard. And at the same time, there’s a sense of relaxation as well, you know, because it’s important to keep the atmosphere light and cheerful when you are doing a job on the field which is so demanding,” Rohit said in an interaction with BCCI.tv.
“You need to have an atmosphere where people can relax, just chill around, those kinds of things,” he added. It’s only been a little while but I have had so many interactions with him in the past about the game, about my personal game so it’s good to have him on board. And ya, it’ll be a very fruitful one I hope for the future,” he added.
However, India is preparing for a three-Test and 3-ODI visit of South Africa. Importantly, Rohit has taken over as India’s Test vice-captain from Ajinkya Rahane. As a result, he will be faced with significant obligations.
