Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has made a pointy remark on Rohit Sharma’s leadership profile ahead of the primary ODI of the Australia tour. The ex-all-rounder stressed that Rohit’s record as captain in limited-overs cricket stands amongst India’s finest, due to his success in multi-nation events and his composed approach in crunch situations.
Nevertheless, Shastri underlined that so far as Test captaincy is worried, Rohit couldn’t produce the identical level of command and consistency within the longest format. He remarked that in white-ball cricket Rohit’s stint produced multiple ICC titles, including the recently-won 2025 Champions Trophy, strengthening his name amongst India’s best one-day leaders.
Assessment Of Rohit’s Test Captaincy And Fitness Resurgence
Rohit’s Test résumé reflects 24 matches as captain, from which India secured 12 wins but in addition endured nine defeats, including the heavy loss within the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. The closing stretch of Rohit’s tenure in red-ball cricket was particularly grim as India suffered a rare 0-3 defeat at home to Recent Zealand followed by a 1-3 defeat within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia in 2024-25.
Despite stepping apart from captaincy duties with Shubman Gill taking on ODIs before the tour, Shastri still praised Rohit’s stature and his attitude in preparation for his return to the squad. “He’s won Asia Cups as well and IPL trophies (other than ICC trophies), very like MS Dhoni. MS won every little thing. With MS, it was he full monty. Each of them are outstanding white-ball captains. I won’t say the identical in terms of Tests because the eye span will not be the identical. Fitness sensible there is no such thing as a problem with Virat, and also you see Rohit now, he has really worked. He has lost plenty of weight, he has worked hard on his fitness. So, that hunger, that desire is there. “
Fan Culture And Tribal Loyalty In Indian Cricket
Speaking on the familiar rivalry between supporters of major stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shastri said such fandom is deeply rooted in region and franchise loyalty. He observed that intense opinion clashes are inevitable in a rustic with an unlimited base of cricket ssupporters.
“It’s just likes and doubtless where you come from, which state you come from, which team you might be playing for. Like plenty of Virat fans could be RCB fans. A number of Rohit fans could be MI fans. It has at all times been the case. Truthfully, with these two players, the fans are universal. MS had an enormous fan following, and that’s the case in India,” Shastri stated. The opening ODI of the series is scheduled for October 19 at Optus Stadium in Perth..