'Street-smart Cricketer': Former India Fast Bowler Says Captain Rohit Sharma is Like MS Dhoni

Rohit Sharma-led India put up a memorable show in the recent 2023 ODI World Cup with an unbeaten run to the final.

The ODI showpiece saw Rohit admirably leading his men even though they fell agonizingly short of the title triumph. The tournament though further polished the star cricketer’s reputation as one of India’s  finest captains.

Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has gone to the extent of comparing the captaincy styles of Rohit with the legendary MS Dhoni who led India to three major ICC title wins during his reign.

“He’s (Rohit) a street-smart cricketer and he’s somebody more like Dhoni bhai who doesn’t just get off the scene straight away,” Sreesanth told Firstpost. “Even if the bowling’s not that great, even if the fielding’s not that great he makes sure he backs up the fielders, he backs up the fielders. It’s a great trend. Even in the World Cup, the players who were not playing he was going to them asking for suggestions.”

“Yes he’s the captain but he’s been there as their brother and been there as their best friend. So it’s very important. So I think that’s one of the best qualities a captain can have,” Sreesanth added.

In IPL, Rohit and Dhoni jointly hold the record for most title wins as captains, having guided their franchises to five trophies each.

Meanwhile, India will next embark on the tour of South Africa with the likes of Rohit and Virat Kohli rested from the white-ball leg of the tour. The duo will make their return for the two-match Test series.

Sreesanth was full of praise for Kohli who had a record-breaking outing at the ODI World Cup with the bat as he was won player-of-the-tournament award.

Sreesanth picked Kohli and KL Rahul to be India’s X-factor during the Tests.

“Virat Kohli. Virat loves to keep proving, rather than to anybody but to himself. I think he’s that cricketer who actually plays with that pride and he takes that pride in a very good way, not in an egoistic way. So pride for me, and for Virat also I’m sure it’s like personal responsibility in delivering excellence. So, I will go with Virat and KL Rahul,” Sreesanth said.