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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stand as two pillars of modern Indian cricket, each leaving an indelible mark on the game with their formidable batting prowess. However, it’s not just their performances with the bat that have captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide; it’s also their leadership styles on the field. As former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin recently weighed in on their captaincy approaches, the debate over who is the superior captain between Kohli and Rohit has reignited.
Virat Kohli’s captaincy: A testament to ruthlessness and fitness
During his tenure as the captain of the Indian cricket team, Kohli established a culture of ruthlessness and unwavering standards. Known for leading by example, Kohli instilled a strong emphasis on fitness within the team, elevating India’s fielding standards to unprecedented levels. His relentless pursuit of excellence translated into notable successes, particularly in Test cricket, where India witnessed a remarkable turnaround in away tours under his stewardship.
Rohit Sharma: The tactician behind Mumbai Indians’ IPL dominance
In contrast, Rohit’s captaincy journey has been synonymous with tactical acumen and consistent success, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Mumbai Indians (MI). Under Rohit’s leadership, MI clinched an impressive five IPL titles, showcasing his ability to inspire and strategize in high-pressure situations. Haddin lauded Rohit’s tactical prowess, emphasizing his capability to excel not only in Indian conditions but also in foreign environments.
Also READ: IPL 2024 – Yuvraj Singh explains why Rohit Sharma deserves one more season to captain Mumbai Indians
Brad Haddin’s assessment: Insights into Kohli and Rohit’s captaincy styles
Haddin provided valuable insights into the contrasting yet effective captaincy styles of Kohli and Rohit. He lauded Kohli for revolutionizing Indian cricket, emphasizing the transformation in fitness standards and the team’s relentless attitude under his leadership. On the other hand, Haddin praised Rohit’s tactical brilliance, highlighting his success in leading MI to multiple IPL triumphs.
“I thought Virat changed the way India prepared for their cricket. They became really ready. He held his play group to a high standard and he’s one of those captains who said I’m not going to get you to do anything that I’m not doing myself.’ You’ve seen the athleticism in the Indian cricket team change, and their mentality towards it. They were feeling energetic – their fitness and they dived when Kohli took over. And when they were up for the contest against Australia, he didn’t back down. He changed the modern game a lot in India and how India played,” said Haddin on the LiSTNER podcast.
“But on the other hand, Rohit Sharma is as good a captain tactically that you’ll see. He’s had a lot of success in the IPL. He’s captained there since Ricky Ponting left, and that would have been over 10 years. The players play for him and tactically, he’s as good as you’ll get in India and non subcontinent conditions,” added Haddin.
