Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop feels the next few months are critical for Rohit Sharma as a leader of the team. India will take part in the Asia Cup and the World Cup and Rohit’s role as a skipper will be crucial to the team’s chances of going all the way in these two major tournaments.
Rohit took India to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2022 but the team lost to eventual champions England. Furthermore, India lost the World Test Championship final against Australia under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma was at his absolute best in the 2019 World Cup, top-scoring in the tournament with 648 runs in nine matches at an average of 81. There is no doubt that Rohit is going to hold the key at the top of the order along with Shubman Gill and he will look to lead from the front.
Furthermore, Rohit Sharma is the joint-most successful captain in the IPL, along with MS Dhoni, with five titles under his belt. Bishop said Rohit will look to end India’s ICC title drought of the last decade as the team won a major trophy back in 2013.
In an interview with RevSportz, Ian Bishop said, “These next few months are critical to cementing his legacy as a leader if he can take some of that silverware back home.”
He added: “As far as leadership role is concerned, he is obviously aware that India with all its resources – playing and economic – the fulfillment of an ICC tournament since that Champions Trophy in England is something they definitely want.”
Meanwhile, Bishop, who is well known for his in-depth commentary, showered praise on Rohit Sharma’s batting in both ODI and Test formats.
“Rohit has been an outstanding batter and particularly if you talk about his record in the 50-over format. Has been a general of that format. Now he is making a really good fist of his Test batting.”
India will look to come up with a collective effort in the Asia Cup and the World Cup if they are to go all the way in these two tournaments.