NEW DELHI: According to former opener Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma has developed into a capable leader over time and has a strong relationship with his teammates, all of which bode well for the Indian squad.
The Mumbai batsman has enough expertise to manage the squad, according to Dhawan, who was Rohit’s opening partner for a long time.
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“From 2013 to 2025, 12 years of experience is a lot. Rohit has been through a lot. He knows how to work in a pressure situation, how to gather the boys.
“As a leader, he has become mature, he knows when to be lenient and when to pull back. It’s a fine balance and Rohit’s bond with the boys is amazing. We are in a great situation,” Dhawan said in a special series titled ‘The Shikhar Dhawan Experience’ on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
Dhawan also recalled his nine-year opening relationship with Rohit, which started at the same competition, and talked about his experience winning the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
The 39-year-old former left-hander said it was Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s idea to promote Rohit as an opener alongside him.
“This opening pair decision was made half a day prior to that match. At that time, I was also new, and I was in my own world. I had made a comeback and needed to perform well. But MS Dhoni took this decision and instructed Rohit to open,” Dhawan said.
“So I didn’t think much about it. I thought if Rohit opens, we’ll enjoy batting together. We got such a great start in the first match. We were at 100 without losing a wicket.
“We didn’t score 30-35 runs up to the 10th over because the wicket was seaming. But I never thought that our pair would be so massive and we would play together for 10 years,” he added.
Dhawan also discussed his connection with Rohit, stating that it began when they were juniors.
“We trust each other and our understanding and level of communication was very high. On the field and off the field our bond is same. We played together, we have partied together after winning so many series. We have played as a team,” he said.
“That whole journey and even before playing in India, when Rohit was 16-17 years old, I played in the Under-19 World Cup. So, we have been together and have been friends since then.”
India, who have already advanced to the Champions Trophy semifinals with two straight victories, will play New Zealand in an inconsequential final group encounter on Sunday in Dubai.
