Rohit Sharma credits MS Dhoni for shaping his cricketing career
Indian cricket team captain, Rohit Sharma, has expressed his gratitude toward former skipper MS Dhoni for his significant role in molding his career. Despite retiring from international cricket on August 15, 2020, Dhoni's influence continues to be felt in the Indian Premier League. He is recognized for nurturing young talent and leaving an indelible mark on Indian cricket with his composed leadership style. Some of the other players who flourished under him are Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin.
Rohit on Dhoni's impact
In a video shared by Star Sports, Rohit reflected on the influence Dhoni had on his career. He stated, "I made my World Cup debut under him (Dhoni), which was 2007 and since then we've had a very long journey, played a lot of cricket together." He further emphasized Dhoni's ability to encourage young players regardless of the game situation or their performance.
Dhoni's leadership style continues to inspire
Dhoni's legacy in cricket extends beyond his personal achievements. His leadership skills and cricketing acumen have earned him a legendary status in the sport. As mentioned, he is credited with mentoring several current Indian cricketers. His approach of providing opportunities to emerging players and supporting them during challenging times has significantly shaped their careers. In 2013, Dhoni's decision to make Rohit open turned out to be a game-changer for Indian cricket. The latter was unstoppable thereafter.
Dhoni revolutionized Indian cricket
Dhoni is among the veterans who revolutionized Indian cricket with his acclaimed Midas touch. The 43-year-old is the only captain to win each of the three limited-overs ICC trophies. August 15, 2024 marked four years of MSD's retirement from international cricket. He announced his retirement on social media, where he wrote, "From 1929 hrs, consider me as retired."
How Rohit 2.0 broke records
Rohit made an impactful debut in 2007, but inconsistency marred his international career over the next few years. From his debut until 2013, Rohit could muster only 1,978 in 86 ODIs at an average of 30.43. Following his promotion in the batting order, Rohit has racked up 8,801 runs at 57.14. He registered 29 of his 31 ODI tons during this phase. Rohit, owns over 10,000 ODI runs, has three double-tons to his name.
