Legendary Indian batter and former captain Sunil Gavaskar has reserved massive praise for Rohit Sharma after he helped India end the 11-year wait for an ICC title. Rohit was captain of the Indian team that defeated South Africa by seven runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 final played in Barbados on June 29.
The 37-year-old right-handed batter was in red-hot form for the Men in Blue in the 20-team tournament, and with the help of three half-centuries, he scored 257 runs in eight matches. Gavaskar was impressed by Rohit and said that he is a people’s captain like Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.
“Rohit Sharma joins those other two cricketing giants, Kapil Dev and Dhoni, in captaining India to a World Cup trophy. Like the duo were, Rohit is also a people’s captain,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day on Sunday.
“Well liked, not only by his team members but by the entire Indian cricketing community. The cricket fans also love his laconic style of leadership, and tactically, he is as good as the sharpest in the game. Some of his moves can surprise you and make you scratch your head as to the reason, but the end result is more often than not exactly what the team needed at that moment,” he added.
India’s win in the T20 World Cup 2024 final helped Rohit become the first captain to win 50 T20Is and also the first captain in history to win the T20 World Cup title with a 100% win record.
“He led from the front, showing a complete disregard for personal milestones and instead looking to get the team off to a flying start every time. India is blessed to have him as their captain,” Gavaskar said.
The 74-year-old Gavaskar, who has now donned the hat of an expert and commentator, was also full of praise for outgoing Indian head coach Rahul Dravid.
“While the players naturally took all the limelight as they should, there was the support staff led by the one and only Rahul Dravid, who also had a massive role to play in the victory. What a terrific combo the two Rs made! Totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India,” he added.
The T20 World Cup 2024 was Dravid’s last assignment as India’s head coach. VVS Laxman is in charge of Team India in the ongoing five T20Is against Zimbabwe, and a new head coach will formally take charge of the Indian team from the Sri Lankan series onwards.
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