NEW DELHI: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik on Saturday expressed profound admiration for Rohit Sharma’s remarkable leadership and influence during his tenure as the Indian cricket team’s ODI captain.
In a moving video shared on Instagram, Karthik delivered a heartfelt message to the outgoing captain. “Rohit Sharma. Thank you so much. You were a phenomenal captain — tactically astute, but most importantly, very, very friendly and got along with everyone, making them feel so comfortable. But for me, the legacy that you’ve left as a captain… in those big moments, those big matches, you taught this current team what it takes to win,” Karthik stated.
Karthik specifically highlighted Rohit’s proactive and aggressive leadership style, particularly in high-pressure games. “At times we used to take a backward step, but you said, ‘I think we need to press forward, put more pressure on the opponent, take more risks,’ and you didn’t leave it to anyone else. I think you started it with the bat—when in the big matches, you said, ‘I’m going to go harder,’ and that required skill. You got it done, and you did it consistently.”
Under Rohit’s captaincy, the Indian team enjoyed significant success, winning 42 out of 56 One Day Internationals, which translates to an impressive 76% winning percentage. His leadership brought India two major ICC trophies in 2024—the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy—in addition to a commendable runner-up finish in the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil.
Karthik further praised Rohit’s commitment to nurturing young talent and leaving the team in a stronger position than he found it. “Asia Cup unbeaten with a young team… You’ve left it in a better place than what it was when you started, and that’s always a great sign of a leader.”
The Indian selectors, however, have now made a significant change, removing Rohit from the ODI captaincy. Young Test skipper Shubman Gill has been handed the reins for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, with a strategic eye on the 2027 World Cup. Shreyas Iyer will serve as Gill’s vice-captain for the three-match ODI series, which is set to begin on October 19 with matches in Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne, followed by a five-match T20 series.