Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir it is wrong to say that only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma plays with a lot of passion and dedication. Gambhir reckons all the Indian players have the same passion and dedication to deliver the goods for the team.
Rohit and Kohli, being the two superstars of Indian cricket, always hog the limelight for their impressive performances. Both were brilliant in the recently concluded World Cup 2023. Rohit scored 597 runs in 11 matches of the World Cup 2023 at an average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.95. The talisman scored three fifties and one century in the ODI showpiece.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli finished the tournament as the highest run-getter with 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.32. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the tournament for his consistent performances.
However, there were consistent performances from players like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in the World Cup.
“People talk a lot about passion, energy and dedication. All players in the dressing room have the same passion and dedication. No one has less passion or dedication. Wrong to say that only about Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma. All players who play for India will have dedication,” Gautam Gambhir said on Sportskeeda.
“Yes, Kohli has worked a lot on his fitness and I would also urge the upcoming players to work on their fitness. It is something which is in your hands. Youngsters must learn from Kohli about fitness,” Gambhir commented.
Gambhir added Shreyas Iyer worked on his short ball weakness and he should be given credit for the same.
“Everyone works on their game. Shreyas Iyer has also worked hard on the short ball. No one talks about it. He has worked hard and every player does it.”
Meanwhile, Gambhir recalled his gesture when he gave his Player of the Match to Virat Kohli, who scored his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in 2009.
“Honestly, I didn’t do anything which I shouldn’t have done. People don’t need to talk about it too much. The reason why I gave it was that when I came into the team as a youngster, I would have expected the same from my seniors. The first hundred is always very special,” he said.
“We were chasing 300-plus and were 20/2 at Eden Gardens after Sachin and Sehwag got out. Virat had played a wonderful knock in that match. I wanted to make a young cricketer’s first hundred memorable,” Gambhir added.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be in action in the two-match Test series against South Africa.
