Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has lavished praise on Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his commendable approach in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Rohit, the highest run-scorer for India in the tournament with 191 runs at a strike rate of nearly 160, has been a standout performer, blending aggression with an admirable selflessness.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar highlighted what makes Rohit special:
“What people and fans are realizing with Rohit Sharma is that this is a guy who obviously has the skills to play big shots against quality bowlers effortlessly. But it is his selflessness that is the most appealing thing about him, that he doesn’t worry about ‘I am the big name player here, I must get a score’ or ‘I must get a fifty’.”
Manjrekar emphasized Rohit’s willingness to maximize every delivery’s potential, even when the risk factor is high, showcasing a commitment to team success over personal milestones.
Sanjay Manjrekar on Rohit Sharma’s Knock Against Australia
In a memorable match against Australia, Rohit Sharma was dismissed by left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, but not before amassing a spectacular 92 runs off just 41 balls, which included seven boundaries and eight sixes.
Manjrekar wasn’t surprised by Rohit’s aggressive approach, even when close to a century, reflecting on the Indian captain’s clarity about prioritizing quick scoring over individual milestones:
“Even when he (Rohit) got out in the nineties, he wasn’t going to be taking too much time to get to that hundred. He is the leader of this new thought in Indian cricket where he is just trying to score quickly.”
The Upcoming Clash
India is set to face England in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024, a repeat of the top-four clash from two years ago where Jos Buttler’s side triumphed over Rohit’s men.
As the semi-final approaches, Rohit Sharma’s leadership and selflessness will be pivotal for India’s success, embodying a new era of Indian cricket that prioritizes team achievement over individual accolades.
