Shikhar Dhawan lavishes praises on Rohit Sharma's leadership growth
What's the story
Former Indian cricket team opener Shikhar Dhawan has lauded skipper Rohit Sharma's growth as a leader. Speaking on an episode of a special series titled 'The Shikhar Dhawan Experience' on Star Sports and JioHotstar, Dhawan emphasized Sharma's vast experience and great relationship with his teammates. "From 2013 to 2025, 12 years of experience is a lot. Rohit has been through a lot. He knows how to work in a pressure situation, how to gather the boys," Dhawan said. Here's more.
Leadership acumen
Dhawan reflects on Rohit's ability to handle pressure
As mentioned, Dhawan stressed on Sharma's ability to handle high-pressure situations and rally his team. He called Sharma a mature leader who knows when to be lenient and when to exert control. "As a leader, he has become mature, he knows when to be lenient and when to pull back. It's a fine balance and Rohit's bond with the boys is amazing. We are in a great situation," Dhawan added in the skipper's praise.
Cricketing camaraderie
Dhawan and Rohit's enduring partnership
Dhawan fondly recalled his nine-year opening partnership with Sharma, which began during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy—where they went on to lift the title. "This opening pair decision was made half a day prior to that match. So I didn't think much about it. But I never thought that our pair would be so massive," he noted. He emphasized that their connection extended beyond cricket. "We trust each other," he said, adding that they have celebrated many series victories together.
Early bonds
Dhawan traces friendship with Rohit back to junior cricket days
Dhawan traced his friendship with Sharma to their junior cricket days, even before they played for India. "That whole journey and even before playing in India, when Rohit was 16-17 years old, I played in the Under-19 World Cup. So, we have been together and have been friends since then," he said. This long-standing camaraderie has surely helped their partnership on the field.
CT 2025
India's journey so far in the ongoing Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue have clinched their semifinal berth in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Against Bangladesh, India clinched a six-wicket victory on the back of Mohammed Shami's fifer and Shubman Gill's unbeaten ton. In their second match against arch-rivals Pakistan, Virat Kohli's unbeaten hundred and Kuldeep Yadav's three-wicket haul sealed India's six-wicket victory. Meanwhile, their last group-stage match is against New Zealand which is scheduled to be played on March 02.