Watch: Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer open up on Rohit Sharma’s hilarious on-field reactions

Rohit Sharma. (Source – Twitter/X)

Indian cricketers Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer recently offered an insight about what it feels like to play under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. The 37-year-old is known for his expressive on-field reactions and has earned a reputation for his straightforward communication style.

His leadership has often been praised for allowing players to give freedom and express themselves on the field. This approach has been particularly effective in comforting the newcomers to the team, helping them settle quickly, and contributing to the side’s success. 

However, Shami revealed that this freedom comes with certain expectations. According to him, Rohit’s fiery reactions are reserved for moments when a player fails to follow the plan or live up to expectations.

“The best thing about Rohit Sharma is that he gives you freedom but if you don’t live up to his expectations then the reactions we see on the screen, the ones we understand without him saying anything, start to come out,” Shami said during a Cricket Award show.

Also read: Shreyas Iyer offers his seat to Rohit Sharma in a heartfelt gesture at award ceremony

Iyer also had similar thoughts to Shami and added that the team has grown accustomed to Rohit’s unique way of communicating. 

“He’s actually right. We fill in the words ‘woh’, ‘yeh’, ‘usko’, ‘isko’, it is kind of like fill in the blanks for us. So, we just visualise that what will happen in that particular moment or he is talking about what will happen in another situation. But, we understand his feelings, we have been playing with him for so many years. It’s not like he is trying to beat around the bush, we know exactly what he feels,” Iyer said.

Also read: Rohit Sharma credits ‘three pillars’ for helping him transform team India

I keep telling them to be themselves on the field: Rohit Sharma

In response to the statements made by Shami and Iyer, the veteran opener who was awarded the Men’s International Cricketer of the Year at the Award ceremony, stated that his on-field reactions are simply a reflection of who he is.

“There’s a simple story behind this. I keep telling them to be themselves on the field, but for that first, I have to be myself, and that is how I am, and that is how I want to be on the field as well,” Rohit said.

Meanwhile, Sharma will be next seen in action against Bangladesh in the two-match Test series. On the other hand, Iyer will be participating in the Duleep Trophy 2024-25 and will be leading Team D.

For Shami, who has been out of action since last year due to an ankle injury, was set to make his return in the Duleep Trophy but recent reports speculate that the pacer’s comeback has been delayed.