The remarkable success of the Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians (MI) can often be associated with the franchise’s extended backroom staff, including a proper, year-long operational scouting team. But five-time IPL winners’ director of cricket operations, Zaheer Khan, firmly believes the credit for their great achievements shall also fall to the doorsteps of the skipper. […]
The remarkable success of the Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians (MI) can often be associated with the franchise’s extended backroom staff, including a proper, year-long operational scouting team. But five-time IPL winners’ director of cricket operations, Zaheer Khan, firmly believes the credit for their great achievements shall also fall to the doorsteps of the skipper.
Rohit has been MI’s captain for a mighty successful nine-year tenure now, with his ascent to the helm back in 2013 coinciding with the franchise’s maiden IPL trophy, paving way for four more titles in the years to follow.
How much of MI’s success should be attached to Rohit Sharma’s captaincy has been a subjective debate. But for Zaheer, there is absolutely no doubt that the experienced Indian opener has had a huge impact, especially with his caring, one-on-one approach towards the players.
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Mumbai Indians have won five IPL titles under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
“Rohit is a player’s captain,” Zaheer, the former India pacer, told Sportstar. “He’s been phenomenal for Mumbai Indians over the years as a player and a leader. The fact that he dedicates personal time to each individual and is very approachable, makes him a role model and a standout leader.”
Zaheer gave an insight into MI’s working in Rohit Sharma’s captaincy tenure, saying the way he has empowered players and given them the freedom to make individual decisions on the field, has helped the franchise develop more leaders within the change room.
“We have always been a team which promotes and gives freedom to youngsters. With Rohit’s experience and attitude, I believe we will have a lot of individuals who would be groomed as leaders in their own respective ways,” he added.
MI retained Rohit Sharma for a whopping INR 16 crores ahead of the pre-auction for IPL 2022. Over the past few seasons, Rohit hasn’t had the best of times in the IPL with the bat in hand but that hasn’t at all diminished his stocks for MI, who are hoping to go all the way again under his captaincy.
Apart from Rohit, MI also retained Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard and went on to regain Ishan Kishan at the mega auction in Bangalore where the franchise made two other notable buys in Jofra Archer and Tim David, compiling a fresh but still mighty strong playing contingent for IPL 2022.
