What will be Rohit Sharma’s legacy in Indian cricket? | Cricket News

India skipper Rohit Sharma has had an illustrious career and will be remembered as one of the best of this generation. However, the next three months will be the most crucial for his career in terms of how he will be remembered and his contribution to Indian cricket both as a batsman and leader.
Rohit became India captain in challenging circumstances when a tug of war was going on between Virat Kohli and the selectors. There was a lot of backlash from fans and a degree of surprise in cricketing circles on how Kohli’s captaincy situation was handled. The stature of Kohli in Indian cricket meant that whoever took the reins next would automatically be under more scrutiny than any captain before him.
One of the major criticisms of Kohli’s captaincy was his inability to win ICC trophies. When Rohit became full-time skipper, he had won five IPLs and was expected to deliver similar results in ICC events for India. It was never a move that looked like it was taken with a long-term vision, instead in search of instant success.

Thus far in the two opportunities he has had in ICC events, it has been more or less the same tale of crumbling in pressure situations and losing big games, a malaise since 2013. Rohit did have mitigating circumstances with the injury to Jasprit Bumrah in both events which weakened the bowling significantly. However, with the ace pacer back in the mix now, the margin for error is zero for the India skipper.
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma bats during a training session ahead of Asia Cup 2023, in Bengaluru. (PTI)
Getting to terms with captaincy
It was not more than a year ago that Rohit took charge of India in the 2022 Asia Cup as full-time captain. Though he had won the trophy in 2018, he was not the regular skipper then. In 2022, the pressure on his shoulders was visible. His on-field persona during some of the games raised a few questions about his temperament and handling of youngsters in the side.
However, Rohit got better at the job the longer he did it. There was a stark difference in his body language in the T20 World Cup later in 2022 in Australia where he seemed a lot calmer and jovial. He was a lot more astute tactically too. He also started to become more ruthless and made calls based on his gut feeling.
He also seems to be a lot more relaxed now than he was when he took over. When he said “Hopefully, Sharma and Kohli can roll their arm over in the World Cup,” in the press conference during the squad announcement for the Asia Cup, it lightened the mood in the room. There seems to be a charismatic aura that he has developed over time and he looks more comfortable in the hot seat.
Installing attacking mindset
England not only raised the bar in ODI cricket when they won the World Cup in 2019 but also set the template for the modern white-ball game.
For a long time, India continued to play the traditional way. Since Rohit has taken over, he has been talking about playing an attacking brand of cricket throughout the innings. He has not only talked the talk but is also walking the walk. He has looked to attack the bowlers in the first 10 overs of the innings. In ODIs this year, he is striking at 111.41 at an average of 81.33 in the Powerplays.
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma bats during a training session ahead of Asia Cup 2023. (PTI)
There seems to be a clear identity to the way the team wants to bat. It was heart-warming to hear Rohit backing this approach and players who adhere to that philosophy after the ODI series defeat to Australia earlier this year.
“We have always talked about fearless cricket. If someone feels they can take the bowlers on, we have given them complete freedom to do that,” Rohit said.
“While doing that, there is a big possibility that they might not be able to achieve what they want to achieve, which is fair, and fine us. You will learn from that.
“We will not judge based on a couple of poor shots. All these guys have lots of potential, they can play these shots whenever they want and we want to keep encouraging them to go out there and do it often,” he had added.
Rohit seems to enjoy the added responsibility too. In 27 games as skipper, he has made 1,175 runs at an average of 55.95 with one double ton. With batting not being the strength of this side, Rohit’s runs will be crucial in both the Asia Cup and World Cup.Most Read
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Rohit’s legacy
MS Dhoni and Kohli have attained cult status among this generation of Indian players. Though Rohit has his own identity and records, he has never been seen at par with either of them.

Rohit was identified as the next big superstar and the one destined to achieve great heights when he was young. He made his international debut before Kohli but it was not until he became the opener of the limited–overs side in 2013, six years after his debut, that he started doing justice to his talent. He missed the 2011 World Cup because of his inconsency and poor fitness. Despite having all the talent in the world, he has failed to reach greater heights than what he has already achieved.
Though winning the Asia Cup will be important for the morale boost it will provide, the performance in the World Cup will be the yardstick on which Rohit will be judged. If he can lift the trophy in Ahmedabad on November 19, it would make his standing unquestionable among the greats of Indian cricket.