Mohammed Shami recently shared that while Rohit Sharma is an encouraging and supportive captain, no one wants to experience his anger. Rohit is currently enjoying a dream run as captain. Despite being relieved of his Mumbai Indians leadership duties, the Indian skipper has had a remarkable few months. After leading India to a memorable T20 World Cup win, he was honoured as the International Cricketer of the Year at the CEAT Awards in Mumbai. Rohit's leadership stature has only grown since becoming the full-time captain in November 2021. Known as one of India’s batting pillars, Rohit's personality has endeared him to teammates, seniors, and juniors alike. Youngsters who have played under him all share a common admiration for his leadership, which has fostered a uniquely positive team environment. Moments like the World Cup medal celebrations and comments from former head coach Rahul Dravid highlight how much Rohit is valued not just as a cricketer but also as a person.
However, being Rohit Sharma isn’t always smooth sailing. As Jatin Sapru noted, Rohit is like an elder brother—he’ll scold you for your mistakes but will also make it up with care and affection. While Rohit's affectionate side is well-known, his stern side is something players would prefer to avoid. Shami, in particular, warned about the consequences of not meeting Rohit’s expectations as captain.
"The best thing about Rohit Sharma is that he gives you freedom, but if you don’t live up to his expectations, then the reactions we see on the screen—those unspoken signals—start to show," Shami revealed at the awards event.
Rohit is a natural entertainer, both on and off the field. His amusing antics, often captured by the stump mic, have made his presence on the field as enjoyable as his batting. One unforgettable moment was when Rohit coined the phrase, "Garden mein ghoomne waale ladke," showing his sharp wit and humour. This reflects his deep understanding of the game, hinting that he too was once one of those "garden-strolling" cricketers. Yet, he takes his responsibilities very seriously.
Shami’s observations were echoed by Shreyas Iyer, who also attended the event. Iyer, a long-time teammate from Mumbai’s cricket circuit, highlighted another quirky aspect of Rohit’s leadership—his tendency to speak in incomplete phrases, leaving the players to fill in the blanks.
Rohit then wrapped up the conversation in his trademark witty style: "I keep telling them to be themselves, right? But for that, I have to be myself," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.