People will say MS Dhoni is the best captain but Rohit Sharma understands every single player in team: Ravi Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin and Rohit Sharma. (Pic source: Randy Brooks/AFP)

Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India qualified for the finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 but lost to Australia by six wickets in the summit clash. Despite so, the skipper has earned a lot of praise for his selfless nature and his dedication but it remains unclear if he will return to white-ball cricket for India in the future. The opener has opted out from the upcoming T20I and ODI series against South Africa and hence, there are a lot of speculations about his future at the moment.

Meanwhile, analyzing Rohit’s ability as a skipper, his teammate Ravi Ashwin stated that the cricketer makes an extra effort to understand every single player in the team. Ashwin added that he tries to learn the likes and dislikes of his players and that’s what makes him an outstanding person.

“If you take a look at Indian cricket, everybody will be telling you that MS Dhoni is the best captain. (But), Rohit Sharma is an outstanding person, (and) he understands every single player in the team. He knows the likes and dislikes of each of us and has a great understanding. He puts in the effort to know each player personally,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin emphasized missing out on the WC final

The veteran spinner was close to playing the final against Australia but a very late call ruled him out as the team management decided to back the same XI. Speaking about that, Ashwin stated that he understood the decision and was mentally prepared to carry drinks as well.

“Had I been in Rohit’s shoes, I would have thought 100 times about altering the (winning) combination. It was going alright for the team, so why rest a fast bowler for three spinners? Honestly, I understood Rohit Sharma’s thought process. Playing the final is big, (and) I was preparing for three days in the lead-up. At the same time, I was also prepared to cheer for the side and run in with energy drinks if I was not given the opportunity. I was mentally prepared for that as well,” Ashwin concluded.