Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two ends of the spectrum. While one is calm and collected, the other is volatile and aggressive. But they both are incredible cricketers in their own right.
There is no denying that Virat Kohli has been a good captain. And he essays a key role in the development of the Indian team. But is he perceptive enough to be a tactical genius?
We wonder how things would play out if Rohit Sharma were given the opportunity. Here’s why!
Much like our previous captain MS Dhoni, Sharma too is a cool and calculated customer on the cricket field. And given Dhoni’s history, the Indian team has performed exceptionally under a similar mindset. This would also take the captaincy pressure off Kohli, who can display his much-desired aggression with the bat. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke had said, “Virat’s aggression is one of his greatest strengths, that’s the way he likes to play and that’s how he has had success, and that is the way he will continue to play”. We couldn’t agree more.
Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, has been lauded for his astute captaincy skills and brilliant execution. Also for staying composed under pressure. Captaincy has consistently brought out the best in him. He has led from the front and thrived on the extra responsibility. After all, he has been IPL’s most successful captain – winning the title 3 times in 5 years under his reign. And while we can’t really compare IPL and international cricket, we can vouch for Rohit Sharma and his unbarred temperament.
In fact, Kohli himself had earlier identified Sharma as a potential captain one day. To that end, even the BCCI selectors will be delighted at the development of Sharma as a leader (in the event Kohli is unable to take the field). But for now, the Indian think-tank feel Virat Kohli is the way to go. And we really hope he is!
But we would like to see Rohit Sharma given an equal opportunity – at least in the T20 format, where he has already proved his mettle.
Else we will be left to wonder what could have been.
– Varun Kumar | SpreadSports
