Former opener Shikhar Dhawan praised Rohit Sharma’s growth as a leader, emphasizing his bond with teammates, which strengthens the Indian team. Dhawan, who opened alongside Rohit for years, noted Rohit’s extensive experience in handling pressure situations. He reflected on their partnership starting at the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, credited captain MS Dhoni for pairing them, and recounted their journey together. Dhawan highlighted their longstanding friendship, rooted in shared experiences since their junior days, and expressed confidence in the team’s success as they head into the semifinals of the Champions Trophy, having won two matches already.
Former opener Shikhar Dhawan opines that Rohit Sharma has evolved as a leader throughout the years and enjoys a strong rapport with his teammates, which is beneficial for the Indian team. Dhawan, who served as Rohit’s opening partner for a significant duration, mentioned that the Mumbai batter possesses the experience necessary to guide the team. “From 2013 to 2025, 12 years of experience is substantial. Rohit has encountered many challenges. He understands how to operate under pressure and unite the boys.
“In terms of leadership, he has matured; he knows when to exercise leniency and when to hold back. Striking that balance is crucial, and Rohit’s connection with the boys is exceptional. We are in a favorable position,” Dhawan stated during a special series titled ‘The Shikhar Dhawan Experience’ on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
Dhawan also reflected on his journey in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and reminisced about his nine-year-long opening partnership with Rohit, which commenced during that tournament.
The 39-year-old former left-handed batsman revealed that it was Mahendra Singh Dhoni who suggested promoting Rohit to open the batting alongside him.
“The decision for this opening pair was made just half a day before that match. Back then, I was also new and focused on my own game. Having made a comeback, I was keen to perform well. However, MS Dhoni made this call and directed Rohit to open,” Dhawan recalled.
“I didn’t give it much thought. I believed that if Rohit opened, we would enjoy our batting together. We got off to a fantastic start in the first match, reaching 100 without losing a wicket.
“While we didn’t score 30-35 runs in the first 10 overs due to the seaming pitch, I never anticipated that our partnership would be so monumental and that we would continue playing together for a decade,” he added.
Dhawan also elaborated on his bond with Rohit, noting that their friendship dates back to their junior cricket days.
“We have inherent trust in one another, and our level of communication and understanding is remarkably high. Both on and off the field, our bond remains the same. We have played together and celebrated after winning numerous series. We have functioned as a cohesive team,” he commented.
“Our entire journey has been intertwined, even before playing for India, when Rohit was just 16-17 years old and I participated in the Under-19 World Cup. We have been friends since then.” With two victories in as many matches, India has already secured a spot in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy and is set to face New Zealand in an inconsequential final group match on Sunday in Dubai.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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