Mohammed Shami has praised Rohit Sharma’s leadership saying that India’s opening batsman and limited-overs vice-captain gives freedom to bowlers.
The 30-year-old pace bowler, who has recovered from a forearm fracture and played in the Indian Premier League 2021 for Punjab Kings, is part of the India squad for the tour of England where the Virat Kohli-led side will play six Test matches, starting with the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton on June 18.
Mohammed Shami: Rohit Sharma Gives Positive Answers When Contacted For Advice Which Is Important For Confidence Of Pacer
Rohit Sharma holds the world record for the highest individual score by a batsman playing in a one-day international match, having scored 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 13 November 2014. He is the only player to have scored three double-centuries in this format of international cricket.
“As a bowler, when I go to him for advice, he always gives positive answers. Rohit always pushes the bowlers to do what their mind tells them to, irrespective of how the batsman is playing or his strong points,” Mohammed Shami said on Wednesday.
“I think that is very important for the confidence of a fast bowler,” he told India TV.
He captained India in 10 ODIs and scored 2 hundred including one of his three double tons. India won 8 and lost 2 of those ODIs. In 19 T20Is which he led, India lost 4 and won the remaining 15 T20Is. He also scored 2 of his 4 T20I tons in that 19 T20Is.
Mohammed Shami: Virat Kohli Is As Aggressive As Pacers
Mohammed Shami called Rohit Sharma different from Virat Kohli who he says is aggressive.
“Rohit is a different character. He is a cool person, except when he comes to bat!” said Mohammed Shami while adding that Kohli is as aggressive as fast bowlers.
“Fast bowlers are very aggressive, both old and new. But the one player who could probably emulate their aggression is our own captain! Sometimes, when a picture of Virat’s celebration of a wicket goes viral on social media, I funnily ask him, “Was it my wicket or yours?” Mohammed Shami said.
“He celebrates more than the bowlers! Sometimes he points out that you don’t look too happy with the wicket, so I simply tell him, ‘You did all the celebration for me!’.
“But it is important to have fun on the field. Virat shows aggression, obviously, but as a unit, he has led the team brilliantly so far. In addition, he is a very aggressive batsman too,” he added.
Virat Kohli has become the third captain to lead India in 200 international matches. Virat Kohli, who became India’s captain in all formats of the game in January 2017, led India for the 200th time in the third ODI against England. He thus joins his predecessor MS Dhoni and Mohammad Azharuddin as the only players to have led India in 200 international matches. He has led India in 95 ODIs, 45 T20Is, and 60 Tests.
The duo captains IPL teams too. While Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians is the most successful franchise winning 5 titles, Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore is yet to win a title despite finishing in the playoffs several times