One of India’s most iconic cricketers and former captain Kapil Dev reserved special praise for Rohit Sharma’s leadership and batting, saying that he is unlike many great players who played for themselves.
Rohit led India’s entry into the T20 World Cup semifinals with a stunning knock of 92 off 41 balls, which laid the foundation of India’s total of 205/5 and the subsequent 24-run win over Australia in the ‘Super 8s’ stage of the tournament.
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Kapil, who led India to winning their first World Cup title in 1983, joined a host of experts and formers players who have lauded Rohit for his selflessness and being an inspiration to the fellow team members.
Comparing Rohit to Virat Kohli, Kapil said that the skipper doesn’t show his aggression like the animated Kohli.
“He (Rohit) doesn’t play like Virat, uchhal kood nahi karta (doesn’t jump around like Virat). But he knows his limitations, and within those limitations, there is no better player than him,” said Kapil at an ‘ABP Live’ event. A video clip of Kapil speaking at the event has gone viral on socal media.
WATCH VIDEORohit will lead India in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup on Thursday evening (8 pm India time) against defending champions England. However, the game in Guyana faces a serious threat from rain. If the match gets abandoned, as there is no reserve day for the second semifinal, India will advance to the final on the back of their superior finish in the ‘Super 8s’. India topped Group 1, while England finished second in Group 2.
The winners will take on South Africa for the trophy. The Proteas hammered Afghanistan by nine wickets in the first semi-final.
Commenting further on Rohit’s impact, Kapil said the India opener is unlike some of the other great players who put their self-interest ahead of the team’s.
“Many big players come, they care about their own careers, even do captaincy from that point of view. That’s why Rohit has an extra tick (mark) because he keeps the entire team happy,” said Kapil.
