For the second time in seven months, Rohit Sharma’s men are chasing their second ICC title and will be desperate to end India’s over-a-decade long trophy drought as they take on South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday.
Rohit has led India with great skill throughout his team’s journey from heartbreak of the ODI World Cup final defeat in November last year, through America all undefeated to where they face off against South Africa in a summit clash.
Meanwhile during these few days before the final, Rohit contributed his bit by clattering a couple of brilliant knocks. Seemingly divine 92 against Australia and responsible 57 versus England in semis made him look absolutely different.
But then, recently Nasser Hussain who is former English captain paid rich tributes to Rohit-the batsman as well as leader- according to him present performance at ICC’s cricketing carnival.
“As both a player and captain Rohit has been one of my favorite individuals for quite some time. He comes across as having a very calming influence. While you had other captains, perhaps like Virat who openly showed every emotion that he felt and were so passionate,” ICC quoted Nasser from a video.
“Rohit is like an iron fist wearing velvet gloves. For sure if you’re messing around with Rohit it won’t end up good but then again he is going to give you brotherly love,” added Nasser.
Both sides have not lost any matches enroute to this summit clash. For Team India, this will be their first global triumph since winning the Champions Trophy back in 2013.
Furthermore, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly came out on Friday supporting Rohit’s bid to end his country’s barren run at ICC events.
PTI quotes Ganguly thus “I’m very happy for Rohit Sharma. Life comes full circle. Six months ago he was not even the captain of Mumbai Indians and the same man is now leading India to a World Cup final, unbeaten.
He has played two World Cup finals where he has gone into the final unbeaten. That tells about his captaincy and leadership quality and I’m not surprised as I was there when he took over from Virat Kohli who had decided that he didn’t want to continue captaining India.
It has taken a lot of effort and time to make him captain because Rohit did not feel prepared to be one. It was only by our combined efforts that we were able to talk him into accepting the position and I’m very happy with Indian cricket’s progress under his leadership,” Ganguly added.
