RidiculousMan
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2023
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I wrote this today for Rohit Sharma and his fans.
A boy with gifted technique and talent from the suburbs of Mumbai. Little did he know the expectations people had from him when he first caught the eye of the selectors. Dubbed at one point as the successor to Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket, "talent" was the word so often used to describe him. Effortless, fluid, and easy on the eye, Rohit Sharma was destined for greatness, but the path to fulfilling that destiny was anything but straightforward.
A last-minute replacement for an injured Yuvraj Singh in the 2007 T20 World Cup marked the beginning of Rohit's journey in international cricket. He showcased all the colors in his canvas and the shots in his armory, playing with a maturity beyond his years. His debut tournament ended on a high note, with a winner's medal around his neck, but the road ahead was fraught with challenges.
Soon, his performances earned him a call-up to the One Day side. However, inconsistency and a habit of 'throwing his wicket away'—as critics often pointed out—meant he struggled to cement his place in the team. Despite flashes of brilliance, he missed out on the 2011 World Cup squad, a bitter pill to swallow, especially with the tournament being held on home soil.
Nonetheless, Rohit reinvented himself in the IPL, becoming a dominant force in the shortest format. His stellar performances for the Mumbai Indians earned him another call-up to the ODI team. MS Dhoni, then captain of the Indian team, saw potential in Rohit and decided to experiment by promoting him to the opener's spot—a move that would change the course of Rohit's career.
Rohit soon found his true calling as an opener, forming a formidable partnership with Shikhar Dhawan. The 2013 Champions Trophy campaign was a turning point, as Rohit began to live up to the immense talent he had always possessed. His magnificent 209 against Australia in Bangalore was a testament to his ability, as he joined the elite list of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag as ODI double-centurions. Little did he know, this was just the beginning. Rohit would go on to score double centuries for fun, carving out a legacy of his own.
Rohit's Test career, however, was a rollercoaster. After a delayed debut due to injuries, he finally got his chance in 2013, scoring a sublime 177 on debut against the West Indies. He followed it up with an unbeaten 111 in Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test, endearing himself to fans. Yet, his struggles overseas, particularly against pace and movement, raised questions about his adaptability in Test cricket. Despite these challenges, Rohit continued to work on his game, and by 2018, he had established himself as a regular in the Test side, showcasing his ability to dominate in home conditions. His crowning moment came in 2019, when he was entrusted with the vice-captaincy and later the captaincy, leading India to memorable series wins.
He was the only captain in IPL to match the tactical and impacting masterclass of CSK's MS Dhoni. A testiment to his natural leadership qualities.
After the resignation of his partner in crime, Virat Kohli, Rohit got a proper chance to lead Team India across all formats. The 2023 World Cup was the beginning of another chapter in his career. Leading his side unbeaten to the final against Australia in Ahmedabad, Rohit played the selfless role of the 'Big Brother,' sacrificing his personal milestones to give India explosive starts. However, his dismissal in the final triggered a collapse, and India fell short, leaving Rohit heartbroken but determined to fight another day.
Many called him unlucky, some even called for his retirement, but the Hitman was far from done. He had a vision—to end India's ICC trophy drought that had lingered since 2013. The 2024 World T20 was his next target. Once again, Rohit took on the role of the aggressor, leading from the front. In the final against South Africa, a stable innings from Kohli, a magical spell from Bumrah, and Rohit's tactical masterclass guided India to their first T20 World Cup title since 2007. The drought was finally over.
But Rohit wasn't satisfied. The 2025 Champions Trophy was next, and he was determined to add another trophy to India's cabinet. Against all odds, he selected five spinners in his squad, a move many called foolish. Yet, Rohit's leadership and strategic brilliance proved the doubters wrong once again. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, and in the final in Dubai, Rohit led from the front, ensuring there were no slip-ups this time. India lifted the Champions Trophy, completing back-to-back ICC titles under Rohit's captaincy.
Rohit Sharma was not the hero as captain people had envisioned back in his early days, but he was the hero they needed. If Sourav Ganguly was 'Dada' and MS Dhoni was 'Captain Cool,' or 'Thala' then Rohit Sharma was the 'Big Brother'—a valiant act and a selfless leader who sacrificed personal glory for the greater good of his team and nation.
A boy with gifted technique and talent from the suburbs of Mumbai. Little did he know the expectations people had from him when he first caught the eye of the selectors. Dubbed at one point as the successor to Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket, "talent" was the word so often used to describe him. Effortless, fluid, and easy on the eye, Rohit Sharma was destined for greatness, but the path to fulfilling that destiny was anything but straightforward.
A last-minute replacement for an injured Yuvraj Singh in the 2007 T20 World Cup marked the beginning of Rohit's journey in international cricket. He showcased all the colors in his canvas and the shots in his armory, playing with a maturity beyond his years. His debut tournament ended on a high note, with a winner's medal around his neck, but the road ahead was fraught with challenges.
Soon, his performances earned him a call-up to the One Day side. However, inconsistency and a habit of 'throwing his wicket away'—as critics often pointed out—meant he struggled to cement his place in the team. Despite flashes of brilliance, he missed out on the 2011 World Cup squad, a bitter pill to swallow, especially with the tournament being held on home soil.
Nonetheless, Rohit reinvented himself in the IPL, becoming a dominant force in the shortest format. His stellar performances for the Mumbai Indians earned him another call-up to the ODI team. MS Dhoni, then captain of the Indian team, saw potential in Rohit and decided to experiment by promoting him to the opener's spot—a move that would change the course of Rohit's career.
Rohit soon found his true calling as an opener, forming a formidable partnership with Shikhar Dhawan. The 2013 Champions Trophy campaign was a turning point, as Rohit began to live up to the immense talent he had always possessed. His magnificent 209 against Australia in Bangalore was a testament to his ability, as he joined the elite list of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag as ODI double-centurions. Little did he know, this was just the beginning. Rohit would go on to score double centuries for fun, carving out a legacy of his own.
Rohit's Test career, however, was a rollercoaster. After a delayed debut due to injuries, he finally got his chance in 2013, scoring a sublime 177 on debut against the West Indies. He followed it up with an unbeaten 111 in Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test, endearing himself to fans. Yet, his struggles overseas, particularly against pace and movement, raised questions about his adaptability in Test cricket. Despite these challenges, Rohit continued to work on his game, and by 2018, he had established himself as a regular in the Test side, showcasing his ability to dominate in home conditions. His crowning moment came in 2019, when he was entrusted with the vice-captaincy and later the captaincy, leading India to memorable series wins.
He was the only captain in IPL to match the tactical and impacting masterclass of CSK's MS Dhoni. A testiment to his natural leadership qualities.
After the resignation of his partner in crime, Virat Kohli, Rohit got a proper chance to lead Team India across all formats. The 2023 World Cup was the beginning of another chapter in his career. Leading his side unbeaten to the final against Australia in Ahmedabad, Rohit played the selfless role of the 'Big Brother,' sacrificing his personal milestones to give India explosive starts. However, his dismissal in the final triggered a collapse, and India fell short, leaving Rohit heartbroken but determined to fight another day.
Many called him unlucky, some even called for his retirement, but the Hitman was far from done. He had a vision—to end India's ICC trophy drought that had lingered since 2013. The 2024 World T20 was his next target. Once again, Rohit took on the role of the aggressor, leading from the front. In the final against South Africa, a stable innings from Kohli, a magical spell from Bumrah, and Rohit's tactical masterclass guided India to their first T20 World Cup title since 2007. The drought was finally over.
But Rohit wasn't satisfied. The 2025 Champions Trophy was next, and he was determined to add another trophy to India's cabinet. Against all odds, he selected five spinners in his squad, a move many called foolish. Yet, Rohit's leadership and strategic brilliance proved the doubters wrong once again. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, and in the final in Dubai, Rohit led from the front, ensuring there were no slip-ups this time. India lifted the Champions Trophy, completing back-to-back ICC titles under Rohit's captaincy.
Rohit Sharma was not the hero as captain people had envisioned back in his early days, but he was the hero they needed. If Sourav Ganguly was 'Dada' and MS Dhoni was 'Captain Cool,' or 'Thala' then Rohit Sharma was the 'Big Brother'—a valiant act and a selfless leader who sacrificed personal glory for the greater good of his team and nation.
