"If It Had Been MS Dhoni...": Sunil Gavaskar's Intriguing Take On Rohit Sharma's Captaincy

26.05.2023 - 04:01 sports.ndtv.com

Rohit Sharma is a captain who has led Mumbai Indians to 5 titles in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Yet, some feel he doesn't get the sort of credit he deserves for his leadership.

After uncapped pacer Akash Madhwal led MI to a crucial victory over Luknow Super Giants in the Eliminator with a fifer, Rohit received plenty of praise from the cricketing fraternity for allowing the young pacer the opportunity to deliver at this stage.

But, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar doesn't feel Rohit gets the sort of credit that Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni does. "Of course, he is underrated," Gavaskar told India Today, reflecting on Rohit Sharma's captaincy. "The man has won five titles for Mumbai Indians.

Let me give you an example. Maddhwal got Ayush Badoni, bowling over the wicket. He then went round the wicket to the left-hander Nicholas Pooran.

cricket MS Dhoni on Nicholas Pooran Rohit Sharma India Chennai

Virat Kohli was one the most successful captains that India had across formats. However, his reign didn't end well. He stepped down from T20I captaincy with the conclusion of India's 2021 T20 World Cup campaign. After that, he was removed as ODI captain of the side. A few months later, Kohli stepped down as Test skipper of India. Rohit Sharma was the man who was chosen the take up the role across formats after Kohli. The then BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly has reasoned the appointment of Rohit in a recent interview.

"You Can't Be Asking...": Sunil Gavaskar's Blunt Response To Rohit Sharma On '3-Match WTC Final' Demand

After Australia skipper Pat Cummins disagreed with Rohit Sharma's desire to play a three-match series in the next cycle of the World Test Championship final, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has also criticised the India captain for coming up with such a suggestion and stated that every team should be mentally prepared before playing such big events. India lost against Australia by 209 runs in the WTC final at The Oval on Sunday after they were bundled out for 234, in the chase of 444.

"After Virat Kohli Left, Rohit Sharma Was...": Sourav Ganguly's Big Revelation On Captaincy Saga

Virat Kohli's reign as captain of the Indian team came to sour end in the 2021 after he was removed as skipper of the ODI side. Kohli, who had taken over the leadership baton from the legendary MS Dhoni, announced his decision to step down as T20 captain after the T20 World Cup in Dubai following which the Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI stripped him of ODI captaincy in December later that year. The whole episode had to speculations of a feud between Kohli and Ganguly.

After WTC Final Failure, Rohit Sharma's Big ODI World Cup Declaration

Skipper Rohit Sharma spoke about his team's mindset and strategy after India got thrashed by Australia by 209 runs on Sunday in the World Test Championship final at The Oval. India were chasing a whopping total of 444 and were bundled out for 234 on Day 5, with Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland scalping four and three wickets respectively. This loss deprived Team India of winning another ICC trophy and their decade-long wait continues. India won their last ICC trophy under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, when they lifted the Champions Trophy in 2013.

"It Will Take Us To...": Harbhajan Singh On Rohit Sharma's Suggestion Of 3 Finals For World Test Championship

Following India's loss to Australia in the summit clash of World Test Championship, skipper Rohit Sharma backed the idea of three finals for the mega event. In the WTC Final, Australia defeated India by 209 runs in the final to claim their maiden World Test Championship title. The game was dominated by the Pat Cummins-led side for the majority part and India barely had their moments of joy. After the match, Rohit said that a three-match series would be ideal for the next WTC cycle.

"Got More Angles In IPL": Rohit Sharma Blasts WTC Organisers Over Shubman Gill's Controversial Dismissal

Sunday turned out to be nightmare for Team India as they faced a 209-run defeat against Australia on Day 5 of the World Test Championship final at The Oval. Chasing a whopping total of 444, Team India needed 280 runs to win on the final with seven wickets in hand. However, Australia's bowling attack completely dominated the Rohit Sharma-led side and bundled them out for 234. After the match ended, India skipper Rohit Sharma opened up on the controversial dismissal of opening batter Shubman gill on Scott Boland's delivery on Day 4.