The world salutes Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the captain. Even in the IPL, Dhoni’s leadership of Chennai Super Kings over the years has attained legendary status and much of the credit for the franchise’s success is attributed to “Captain Cool”.
But while doing so, many forget that Rohit Sharma has been no less a great as captain in the IPL, says Sunil Gavaskar.
Rohit, captaining Mumbai Indians, has five IPL titles to his name. Gavaskar thinks Rohit is often underrated as a leader.
Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar highlighted how Rohit’s decision to change Akash Madhwal’s bowling angle while dismissing Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran in the same over in their Eliminator match against Lucknow Super Giants brought results.
“If that had been CSK and Dhoni was the captain. Everybody would have said ‘Dhoni plotted Nicholas Pooran’s dismissal. This is what happens to a great extent. There is also a little bit of hype... he is underrated. The man has won five titles for Mumbai Indians.”
Rohit led Mumbai to a thumping 81-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in Chennai on Wednesday.
Despite a lacklustre start to the IPL 2023 season — Mumbai lost four of their first seven matches — the most successful IPL side staged a remarkable turnaround to reach the playoffs. They won five of their next seven matches. That despite Mumbai’s bowling attack taking a heavy hit because of Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
Even Jofra Archer couldn’t play all the games and returned home with an injury.
Rohit marshalled his limited resources extremely well and inspired little-known talents like Madhwal to bring out the best in them.