A forgetful Captain with unforgettable gameplans: Vikram Rathour pays ultimate tribute to Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma's leadership has been nothing short of remarkable, and his impact on the Indian cricket team has garnered widespread admiration from fans, players, coaches, and experts.

Now, the former India batting coach Vikram Rathour showered rich praise on Rohit Sharma with his ultimate statement. Vikram Rathour has had the opportunity to work closely with Rohit since the days of Ravi Shastri’s tenure as Team India's head coach.

Vikram Rathour hails Rohit Sharma's captaincy

He was also part of India’s support staff in the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Recently, the former batting coach lauded the Indian captain for his unique approach to leadership.

Vikram Rathour gave Rohit, who is known for his emphasis on creating a stable and open atmosphere within the team, a "player's captain" title and explained what makes him a beloved figure in the dressing room and one of the most successful captains Indian cricket has ever seen.

Despite the Indian opener’s reputation for occasionally being forgetful, especially during the toss, Rohit’s focus on the gameplan remains unwavering, as Vikram Rathour emphasized that no matter the situation, the captain's strategic acumen and understanding of the game are always sharp.

Rohit Sharma is invested heavily with the players: Vikram Rathour

Vikram Rathour said on the podcast “Find a Way with Taruwar Kohli”: “He might forget whether he has decided to bat or bowl at the toss, or his phone and iPad in the team bus, but he never forgets his gameplan. He is very good at it and is a very shrewd tactician.”

Rohit’s ability to maintain clarity and purpose, even in high-pressure situations, has been a key factor in India’s recent success. Well, the former Indian batting coach further opened up about Rohit’s involvement in the team's preparations, saying he spends significant time analyzing data and developing strategies behind the scenes.

Rathour also said that Rohit supports his players massively. Rathour added, “He is a player’s captain. He is invested heavily with the players. I have never seen a captain who is so invested in team meetings and strategies. He spends a lot of time on the team’s strategy. He is part of the bowlers’ meeting, the batters meeting. He wants to sit with the bowlers and batters to try and understand what they are thinking. He invests a lot of time with the players.”

Vikram Rathour reveals Rohit Sharma’s tactical masterclass at the 2024 T20 World Cup Final

In the end, Rathour highlighted Rohit’s tactical brilliance as a captain while pointing to his decision during the 2024 T20 World Cup final to finish Jasprit Bumrah's overs early against South Africa. The former batting coach admitted that this move left many puzzled, but it ultimately set up a scenario where the Proteas needed 16 runs in the final over.

Rathour admitted that Rohit's on-field decisions often surprise the coaching staff, but the impact of those decisions becomes clear with time. Rohit will be soon seen in action in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh next month. His team recently suffered an embarrassing 2-0 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka.