Former India spinner R Ashwin has given his thoughts on the qualities that India captain Rohit Sharma possesses, and that makes him endearing to his fanbase. Known to be one of the greatest white-ball openers, Rohit Sharma has devised his own template with the bat.
His aggressive approach, which he started in preparation for the ICC World Cup 2023, benefitted India throughout the tournament, where they qualified for the final undefeated. Rohit provided flying starts, maximizing the 10-over powerplay by going after the bowling.
Rohit Sharma continued the same batting approach in the T20 World Cup 2024 that they won and helped India end its ICC trophy drought since 2013. While results as a captain haven't all gone in Rohit's favor, once characteristic of his that no one can deny is his 'selfless' attitude.
R Ashwin talked about the aggressive approach mentality of Rohit Sharma and called him a selfless person. Opening the batting for India, Rohit has tried to set a solid foundation for the team without caring for his personal milestones. This is the character of the India skipper that Ashwin truly adores.
"One big quality of Rohit that I admire the most is that he is a selfless person. He is very selfless. If you are selfish, you won't go out there and play freely. You won't play aggressively. He has, so many times, not worried about landmarks and still scored big runs. I have massive respect for Rohit when it comes to that, and I am so happy he is showing that this is the way forward. He is saying: 'Yes, I scored runs today, but it is business as usual. My one-day form is good, but there are more people whom I have to praise and motivate,'" Ashwin said in a video on YouTube.
"What is remarkable? We need to normalize everything. We shouldn't keep promoting superstardom and super-celebrity culture. For the next generation, we need to normalize it. We are cricketers-we are not actors, we are not superstars. We are sportspeople with whom normal people should be able to resonate.
So, when players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have achieved so much in their careers, score big, it's business as usual. The goals should be bigger - it's not about the individuals," Ashwin added.
Ashwin also complimented Rohit with assisting India in adapting to the changed approach in ODIs. Rohit, the senior all-rounder, has shown the rest of the team the way forward by making improvements to his own hitting style.
"The game is changing. We all need to understand that cricket is bigger than any individual. He has shown the way forward. In Indian cricket, there has always been talk about improving averages, remaining not out, monitoring personal scores, looking at career averages, and securing a place in the squad. But, from our early days, we have been wearing the jersey and playing for the country. Rohit is playing the game and setting the example," Ashwin said.
"England, between 2015 and 2019, changed the game (ODI). India was actually late to the party. Who showed the way forward? Rohit Sharma. It took us eight years. Maybe, had it been six years, we would have won another trophy. So, Rohit was the burning light in the candle to change and transform this," Ashwin asserted.
Here is the video:
