At the forefront: Rohit Sharma’s opportunity to demonstrate captaincy credentials

Despite being the only skipper to lift the Indian Premier League title thrice, his captaincy and leadership skills don’t often make the headlines.

Rohit Sharma (R) and Ajinkya Rahane play football during practice on Friday ahead of the first ODI against Sri Lanka at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday | PTI

NEW DELHI: It has been a decade since Rohit Sharma made his presence felt in the Indian dressing room. Since then, several peers have climbed up the pecking order so much that the Mumbaikar has never been in a place where his position in the squad has been without question. The frustration that comes with watching him fail, despite his obvious talent, has led to quite a few questions.

The lazy elegance has often been mistaken for not putting in enough work out in the middle. Like Virat Kohli, Rohit likes responsibility and that seems to bring out the best in him. On the field, Rohit is one of the trusted minds that Kohli often banks on when things don’t go his way. Despite being the only skipper to lift the Indian Premier League title thrice, his captaincy and leadership skills don’t often make the headlines.

Those who have played under him for Mumbai Indians will vouch for his natural leadership skills and how he always finds a solution for every crisis. In 2013, after Ricky Ponting stepped aside as captain midway through the season, he took the team to the IPL and Champions League T20 titles. In 2015, sitting at the bottom of the table after losing the opening four matches, Rohit led the turnaround as Mumbai went on to lift the title yet again. And in 2017, Mumbai didn’t even take their foot of the pedal as they topped the charts and lifted the title for a record third time.

Ajinkya Rahane not being a permanent feature in the limited-overs side allowed Rohit to shine as Kohli’s deputy during the ODI leg of India’s tour of Sri Lanka. Now, Rohit is all set to lead India for the first time during the first ODI at Dharamsala.

Unlike in Tests, Rohit is more established in the ODI side now. With Kohli missing, his batting will also be banked upon. Though Rahane has shown in the one Test he captained that he can be banked upon, this series will be an opportunity for Rohit to prove his skill that is often overlooked.

“IPL is a completely different ball game and international cricket is completely different. But, yes, the excitement and energy remains the same, so nothing changes too much. In the IPL, I was captain, so I was more in front. Here, I have to play a little behind-the-scenes role,” he had said about his elevation as vice-captain. But from Sunday, he will be at the forefront.

Among those who have captained India as stand-ins, Gautam Gambhir, in 2010, led India to a 5-0 whitewash of the Kiwis. Rohit won’t match that feat this series, but with three T20Is lined up, he has the chance to keep India’s winning streak against Sri Lanka intact since the Champions Trophy defeat. Sri Lanka might not be a challenge for this Indian team, having blanked them 9-0 across formats earlier this year. A failure might not ring any bells, but Rohit will definitely try to make an impression.

venkatakrishna@newindianexpress.com