Team India may have failed to cross the final hurdle in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, but Rohit Sharma impressed one and all with his leadership and batting in the showpiece tournament.
Under Rohit’s captaincy, India defeated all nine opponents comprehensively in the league stage before beating New Zealand in the first semi-final. However, Australia outplayed the home team in the title clash to lift the World Cup for the record-extending sixth time.
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir was also impressed with Rohit’s leadership in the marquee event.
“In captaincy, Rohit has done a very, very good job. It is not easy to win five IPL trophies. The way India have dominated in the last 50-over World Cup and I said that before the World Cup final as well...I said that irrespective of the result, whatever the result is after the World Cup, India played like a champion side. One bad game doesn't make Rohit Sharma or this side a bad team. Ten games and the way they have dominated the whole tournament. Just because of one bad game if you call Rohit Sharma a bad captain, this is not fair," Gambhir said in an interview during 'ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash'.
Rohit Sharma batted with a fearless approach throughout the marquee event, amassing 597 runs from 11 innings at an impressive average of 54.27 and a remarkable strike rate of 125.94, including one hundred and three fifties.
According to Gambhir, Rohit should lead the Indian team in the 2024 T20 World Cup if he is in good form.
"If Rohit Sharma is in good form, he should be leading in the T20 World Cup or if he is not in good form, whoever is not in good form should not be picked for the T20 World Cup. Captaincy is a responsibility. First, you get yourself selected as a player and then you're made captain. A captain should have a permanent position in the playing eleven, and the permanent place depends on the form," he said.
Gambhir further stated that age should not be a criterion when leaving out a player from the squad and form should be the only parameter.
"Age should not be the criteria why a player should be dropped or picked, only form should be the criteria. Retirement is also an individual decision, no one can force him (a player) to retire, selectors have all the right not to pick them but ultimately one cannot take a bat or ball away from a player. Form is the topmost priority," he remarked.
(With ANI Inputs)
