“Crucial to instill confidence in players and make them feel valued”: Rohit Sharma opens up about his leadership mantra

Rohit led the Indian team from the front during the World Cup at home last year.

Rohit Sharma is widely regarded as one of the best captains in the modern-day game. He has led Mumbai Indians (MI) to five IPL titles and also captained Team India with great success in all forms of the game.

Under his leadership, India won the Asia Cup last year and made it to the World Cup 2023 final without losing a single match. He also guided the Test team to Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph against Australia last year.

Rohit, who is currently leading India in the home Test series against England, on Friday (February 10) opened up about his leadership mantra.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Rohit highlighted the multifaceted nature of his role, including strategic decisions on the field and personal interactions off it.

"As a leader, it's crucial to instill confidence in players and make them feel valued regardless of their role in the team," Rohit said during the Leo1, Mastercard & NSDL event.

"Each player's contribution is essential to the team's success, whether they play ten balls at No. 6 or 7."

The Indian captain stressed on the importance of personal engagement with each player, emphasizing the need for equal treatment and role clarity.

"I make it a point to interact with players individually, understand their concerns, and provide reassurance," Rohit explained. "Building trust and confidence is paramount, especially in challenging situations."

Talking about his role as an opener, Rohit Sharma said he relishes the challenge of overcoming difficult conditions.

"Confidence stems from rigorous preparation and mastering skills," he remarked. "I thrive on the challenge of starting innings in adverse conditions and rely on extensive training to bolster my self-belief."

Rohit is currently leading India in the five-Test series against England at home. After the first two Tests, the series is evenly poised at 1-1. While the Three Lions won the series opener in Hyderabad by 28 runs, the hosts bounced back to win the second Test in Vizag by 106 runs.

The Indian skipper acknowledged the team’s resilience in bouncing back with a convincing win in Vizag but also added that it is important to maintain momentum and unity as they prepare for the upcoming matches.

The third Test match is slated to be held in Rajkot from February 15.

(With ANI Inputs)