Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian cricketer and commentator, has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma’s captaincy is often underrated compared to that of MS Dhoni. Despite leading the Mumbai Indians to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, Gavaskar feels that Rohit does not receive the same level of credit as Dhoni, particularly in terms of unearthing young talents.
Gavaskar’s comments came after Rohit Sharma’s decision to give uncapped pacer Akash Madhwal the opportunity to bowl in a crucial match against the Lucknow Super Giants. Madhwal delivered an exceptional performance, taking a fifer and playing a significant role in Mumbai Indians’ victory. Gavaskar commended Rohit for his captaincy, highlighting the strategic decisions he made during the match.
Drawing a comparison, Gavaskar suggested that had it been MS Dhoni in a similar situation, the cricketing world would have praised Dhoni’s leadership skills extensively. Dhoni has often been lauded for discovering and nurturing young talents, such as Tushar Deshpande in the current IPL season, as well as for reviving the careers of players like Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube. Gavaskar believes that Rohit’s achievements in this regard deserve more recognition.
Gavaskar also pointed out a specific instance during the match, where Rohit used Nehal Wadhera as an impact player while batting first—an unconventional decision that paid off for the team. He urged people to acknowledge Rohit’s captaincy skills and give him credit for his innovative approach.
The comparison between Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni is intriguing, as both players have achieved significant success in their respective roles as captains. While Dhoni’s leadership skills and ability to groom young talents have often been praised, Gavaskar’s comments shed light on the need to recognize Rohit Sharma’s contributions and acknowledge his strategic decisions as a captain.
Ultimately, it is important to appreciate the efforts and achievements of all captains in cricket, as each brings their own unique approach and style to the game. Both Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have made valuable contributions to Indian cricket, and their captaincy legacies deserve to be celebrated
