As the much-anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia looms, former England captain Michael Vaughan commended Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership alongside Virat Kohli, praising Rohit’s management skills and seamless transition into the captaincy role.
Vaughan, in his column for Telegraph Cricket, hailed Rohit for steering the Men in Blue through an impeccable winning streak, securing a flawless record of ten consecutive victories en route to the final showdown against Australia.
Describing the remarkable dynamic between Rohit and Kohli, Vaughan highlighted the transition of leadership within the Indian team, acknowledging Rohit’s adeptness in managing various aspects of captaincy.
“The dynamic with Kohli is remarkable. Kohli was captain for such a long time, and the most famous player in the game. For Rohit to take that on and manage all the different facets so well is superb,” Vaughan expressed in his column.
Vaughan lauded Rohit’s pivotal role in steering India through a semi-final hiccup against New Zealand, commending his astute captaincy that rallied the team during a critical phase in the match.
“In the semi-final, India just had their first little wobble in the field. Rohit brought the team together at drinks, and they turned it around. I have no idea what he said, but it worked,” Vaughan added, acknowledging Rohit’s impact during challenging moments.
With Rohit Sharma in scintillating form, amassing 550 runs at an impressive average of 55 and a staggering strike rate of 124.15, Vaughan also acknowledged Kohli’s exceptional run-scoring spree, leading the tournament charts with 711 runs at an astonishing average of 101.57.
Vaughan expressed a belief in India’s worthiness as potential champions while acknowledging the tournament’s lack of closely contested matches. Despite the tournament’s overall dampened competitive edge, he credited the standout individual performances witnessed throughout.
The final showdown between India and Australia marks a historic moment, as the teams clash for the title in a riveting battle at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, renewing a World Cup rivalry that traces back to their 2003 encounter, where Australia emerged victorious.
