Indian team head coach Rahul Dravid praised captain Rohit Sharma’s leadership in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 tournament. India won all nine league stage games and will face New Zealand in the first semi-final on November 15 in Mumbai.
Rohit Sharma has not only led the side well but has led by example. He has 503 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 126 with one century and 3 fifties to his name. He has taken it upon himself to dismantle opposition bowling in the first ten overs of powerplay to give India a good start. Then the middle order has a ready platform to push the scoring forward and put up a huge total.
India coach Dravid says that Rohit’s role has made multiple games look more straightforward for the team than they were on paper.
“Rohit has certainly been a leader, you know, without a doubt. I think he's led by example both on and off the field. Some of the starts that he's given us, the way he's cracked open games for us. A lot of times people have looked at one, I mean, I can't go into the specific games, I'm sure that you will be able to look into it, but there have been some games where it could have been tricky for us, but the fact that he's been able to get us to those kinds of starts has cracked open the game” Dravid was quoted by ICC.
“So, in the end, it's looked easy, but on reflection as a coaching staff, when we looked at it, we've realized the impact his innings’ have had on games like that, that have made it look easy for us and certainly made it easier for the guys who followed in that department,” he added.
Attacking intent at the start has been central to India’s rejuvenated white-ball set-up and Dravid said that Rohit’s performances have been vital.
“We've talked about playing in a particular way. You cannot do that unless your leader really buys in and actually shows by example. It's been terrific to see the way Rohit's done that. And I think his captaincy has obviously been fantastic as well. It's been very good for a long time.
He's someone who's certainly got the respect of the group and the team. Certainly, got the respect of our coaching staff. And it's been a pleasure to see him operate the way he has, both on and off the field, like I said. I think he's truly someone who deserves all the success that he's been getting. And hopefully, it may continue,” Dravid said.
India started in the World Cup by winning the matches while chasing, while their final four victories all came having batted first. Dravid says that the team will be totally happy with whatever way the coin falls at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday against New Zealand.
“We've actually done both things and we're pretty comfortable with both things. So, I'm not too worried about it. There are advantages and disadvantages to both things. I mean, there are arguments both ways, you know, batting first and putting up a score and hopefully setting the tone that way. And there's also an argument of chasing as well, which means that you probably have to bowl in the sun and stuff.
But look, the toss is not in our hands, it’s not going to be in our hands in the semi-finals. And I think we are comfortable both ways. Whatever call Rohit makes, we will go with it,” Dravid signed off.
(ICC inputs)
