Rohit Sharma’s exceptional leadership qualities have earned him the unwavering support of his players, according to former India opener and batting coach Vikram Rathour. Rathour, who played alongside Rohit in the Indian team, has witnessed firsthand the captain’s meticulous approach to strategizing and his ability to inspire his teammates.
In a recent podcast hosted by Taruwar Kohli, Rathour praised Rohit’s involvement in the team’s game-planning. “I have never seen a captain get so involved in strategy and game-planning,” Rathour said. “He might forget whether he has decided to bat or bowl at the toss, or his phone and iPad in the team bus, but he never forgets his gameplan.”
Rathour highlighted Rohit’s exceptional tactical acumen and his willingness to invest time in understanding the perspectives of his players. “He spends a lot of time on the team’s strategy,” Rathour said. “He is part of the bowlers’ meeting, batters’ meeting. He wants to sit with the bowlers and batters to try and understand what they are thinking. He invests a lot of time with the players.”
As a batsman with exceptional skills and consistency, Rohit leads by example and sets a high standard for the rest of the team, especially the batsmen. “His first quality is that as a batsman he is a phenomenal player,” Rathour said. “I think he is someone who understands his game really well. He always has a clear game plan.”
Rathour also commended Rohit’s on-field decision-making, which he described as “spot on.” “His tactical decisions on the field are spot on,” Rathour said. “Sitting outside, it surprises you as a coach as well. We sometimes think what is he doing, but then you realize after a while what he has done.”
Rathour cited Rohit’s decision to finish Jasprit Bumrah’s overs early in the T20 World Cup final as an example of his astute tactical thinking. “In the T20 World Cup final, he finished (Jasprit) Bumrah’s overs early,” Rathour said. “A lot of people must have questioned the decision, but that decision put us in the situation where 16 (runs) were needed in the last over.”
Rohit’s leadership has played a crucial role in India’s recent successes, including their victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. His ability to connect with his players, inspire them to perform at their best, and make astute tactical decisions has made him one of the most respected and successful captains in Indian cricket history.
