Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir recalled the conversation with Rohit Sharma when he backed the current Indian captain to dominate world cricket. Gambhir made the prediction that Rohit Sharma will go on to become one of the best players in the world.
Rohit has savored great success after he was asked to open the innings in the 2013 Champions Trophy by MS Dhoni. The flamboyant batter has also lifted his Test game in the last five years as he has delivered for the team.
Gambhir recalled Rohit was having a poor series against Sri Lanka in his formative years but the left-hander had the confidence that the Mumbai batter will go to become a power-house.
Gautam Gambhir said in an interview with Sportskeeda, “I remember when Rohit Sharma initially came into international cricket, there was a series in Sri Lanka where he hadn’t scored any runs in five matches and there was a lot of criticism. I told only one thing to Rohit, ‘As much knowledge as I have of cricket, and from the cricket that I’ve seen, you are going to dominate world cricket.’. Good that he has been able to dominate world cricket. This was I think around 2008 or 2009.”
Rohit was able to turn the tables after a sedate start to his International career.
“He had that talent even then. But turning that talent into reality and performance is completely different. So, you’ve got to give it to the man. He didn’t have a very easy start in international cricket, he had a difficult start,” the 42-year-old added.
The former KKR captain feels the challenges which Rohit faced in the early phase of his career helped him in shaping his career.
“That’s one good thing because when you lead a country, and that too of the size of India, and you don’t have a good start, then you start putting yourself in other players’ shoes as well. If his start was very easy, he would have always felt that international cricket is very easy. Today, if any young player is struggling, Rohit Sharma will feel that if it was tough for him, it will be difficult for him as well. That’s why he probably leads that well and keeps it very balanced,” Gambhir elaborated.
Gambhir admitted it was difficult to contain Rohit once he got going in his innings as he has a lot of quality.
“Because he had a quality, as simple as it can get. You have your own assessment of the players. Maybe some other captains may find some other players difficult. So, I had my own assessments for every player, and for me, it was difficult to control him, and his records were also like that against us; be it at Eden Gardens or somewhere else, the way he used to dominate. But it was fun. Because when you control, or execute that plan correctly, and the results come in your favor, it’s a lot of good feeling also.”
Rohit is celebrating his 37th birthday today.
