NEW DELHI:
Ravi Shastri
, a former Indian cricketer and head coach, believes that
Rohit Sharma
will be considered one of the greatest Indian captains in history after the triumph in the 2024
T20 World Cup
. Sharma’s leadership skills and strategic prowess have earned him widespread acclaim since he assumed the captaincy role following the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Under Sharma’s captaincy, India has reached notable milestones, including the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and the World Test Championship.
He has successfully implemented an aggressive playing style, adapting to the demands of modern-day cricket. Sharma’s partnership with head coach
Rahul Dravid
has been instrumental in this transformative journey.
Sharma’s exceptional captaincy extends to the Indian Premier League, where he has led the Mumbai Indians to an impressive five titles since 2013. While comparisons have been drawn between Sharma and MS Dhoni, Sharma has carved out his own unique legacy.
“As a tactician, let’s not forget that he’s been an outstanding guy. He’ll go down as one of the best captains ever alongside Dhoni. If you ask me who’s better, I’d say both are on par when it comes to tactics in the white-ball game. I can’t pay a bigger compliment to Rohit than that because you know what MS has done and the titles he has won,” Shastri said on the ICC Review.
Shastri specifically praised Sharma’s performance during the 2024 T20 World Cup, commending his composure and strategic decision-making throughout the final against South Africa.
“Rohit is not far behind and I thought tactically he was just outstanding in this year’s (T20) World Cup. Just the calmness, the ability to get a (Jasprit) Bumrah or a (Hardik) Pandya, or even an Axar Patel at just the right time when needed was great to see,” he added.
Sharma’s leadership played a crucial role in India’s impressive comeback during the final, showcasing his ability to handle pressure and make important decisions. His batting prowess has also grown, making significant contributions to both his personal and the team’s achievements.