Dhawal Kulkarni reveals how Rohit Sharma's leadership philosophy is reshaping Indian cricket

Indian captain Rohit Sharma's leadership is setting new benchmarks, as Dhawal Kulkarni shared his experiences playing under the dynamic captain. The former Indian seamer didn't have much experience playing under MS Dhoni, but he has thrived under Rohit's guidance.

He hails his former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain’s influence in the team environment. Kulkarni revealed that Rohit Sharma is a captain of a team, prioritizing inclusivity and ensuring that every player—from the star batter to the newcomer—feels valued in the team.

Dhawal Kulkarni lauds Rohit Sharma’s game-changing captaincy in Indian Cricket

This approach fosters a culture of frankness where players can freely express their thoughts and ideas, and Kulkarni mentioned that Rohit Sharma’s ability to connect with his team members is not only commendable but crucial in building a cohesive unit at its best.

The confidence Team India captain instills in his players is unmatched, as the former Mumbai bowler noted that under Rohit’s leadership, players receive multiple chances to showcase their talent.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma’s willingness to invest in his players speaks volumes about his leadership philosophy. Dhawal Kulkarni added that everyone likes to talk to Rohit Sharma because he's such a welcoming man.

Dhawal Kulkarni was quoted as saying by IANS: “I didn't get to play much under Mahi Bhai, but I played a lot under Rohit. And a captain like Rohit is necessary. And it feels good to play under him. Because whether it's a bowler or a batsman, whether it's the first player in the team or the 16th player, or the last person in the management, he will listen to him too.”

He continued, “So, it's important to be a captain like that. And that's why he's such a likeable person in Indian cricket. Everyone likes to go to him and talk to him. Because he's so welcoming. And he's playing with the whole team right now. So, I think that's a very good quality of Rohit. That he gives importance to every team player. He listens to everyone.”

Rohit Sharma gives a lot of confidence to his players: Kulkarni

Furthermore, Kulkarni said that Rohit as a captain gives much-needed confidence to his players, and it is very important. Highlighting a very important trend in Indian cricket, the former bowler said that every player gets at least 7, 8, or 10 chances to prove themselves, all thanks to Rohit.

He mentioned that Rohit understands the fact that a player gets a chance to represent India in the international arena after playing so much domestic cricket and IPL for two-three years, and that’s why he gives that many chances to the players to prove themselves.

Speaking about his accolades, Rohit has etched his name in history as the third Indian captain to win a World Cup. However, Kulkarni's admiration for Rohit’s leadership extends beyond just his achievements, as he applauded his former teammate for giving more opportunities to the players.

He signed off by saying, “And Rohit has set that trend. So, it's a very good thing for Rohit. And he has already won the World Cup. He's the third Indian captain who has won the World Cup. So, it's a very big thing.”

Watch: Former Indian seamer Dhawal Kulkarni says, "Rohit Sharma listens to every single member of the team (from first to last) and that makes him a respectable skipper. He never let anyone feel neglected in the team. I am doing my homework (as a coach) and will plan coaching the… pic.twitter.com/QkIqyPDBNU

— IANS (@ians_india) September 24, 2024