Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday (September 5) said he considers himself the least important person in the squad and always looks to bring the best out of his teammates whenever they take the field in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
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Speaking to India Today, Rohit, who has led MI to record four IPL titles after becoming the captain in 2013, also admitted that playing under the legendary Ricky Ponting’s coaching has helped him grow as a leader.
"I want my teammates to be on the same page as I am. When I talk to my player I think of myself as the least important person in the squad. I think as if I'm not important, you are important because you are going to execute the plans so whatever you want I will do it.
"When I'm leading the side I'm the least important person. That's how I want to think because if I'm thinking about how to take the team forward myself I won't be able to do it. I'm thinking that I'm the last member of the squad and the other 10 are important for me. That's how I will get the best out of them.
"I see how I can get little contributions from all the players. And of course, my performance is also important. I want to make sure that the 10 guys who are playing and the other players on the bench, I should be talking to them and make them feel important. And that is something that I learned from Ricky Ponting (former MI player and coach)," Rohit said.
"The first thing Ponting told me that when you are captaining you can't be thinking about how you want them to do it. Always listen to them, take it in your stride and then filter it and give it to them. It was great learning for me when he was a part of Mumbai."
When asked how he makes the young players comfortable, Rohit replied: "Those players will come out good or will be at their best when they are not under pressure. When there is not too much talking going on about them in the squad. They get to know all these things.
"Airport ho, or if you are sitting in a taxi and the driver is telling you how you shouldn't have gotten out in a particular way. It's not easy to deal with all that. When you are on the field people are expecting so much from all the cricketers who are playing for India. It's something you can't control because that's the love for the game in the people.
"That is what I'm trying to do with all the younger players I meet. I try to tell them not to take 5-7 years to get yourself ready. If you can do it now then do it, think a little open your mind, and gain whatever you can. It's my job because they are my teammates and I see them going through the same phase."
