Pragyan Ojha revealed how the great Adam Gilchrist had spotted leadership qualities in Rohit Sharma when he had just started to play at the highest level. Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha revealed how the legendary wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist had spotted leadership qualities in Rohit Sharma when the two played for the IPL franchise, now defunct Deccan Chargers in IPL’s initial years.
Pragyan Ojha’s comments came after Rohit Sharma on Wednesday was named as India’s ODI and T20I captain. The opener will take over the ODI reins from Virat Kohli in the upcoming series in South Africa in January. India is slated to play three ODIs in South Africa. Apart from the limited-overs set-up, Rohit Sharma was also elevated as the vice-captain of the Test side, replacing Ajinkya Rahane, who had been struggling for form of late.
Pragyan Ojha: Adam Gilchrist Wanted Rohit Sharma To Be The Vice-Captain Of Now Defunct Deccan Charges
Pragyan Ojha said Rohit Sharma was not projected as a leader when he first came on the scene but he slowly started to gain confidence when he was inducted into the leadership group of IPL franchise Deccan Chargers mainly due to the persistence of former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. The former attacking opener was an integral part of the DC setup and even led them to the IPL title in 2009.
“When Rohit first came into the Mumbai side, he was never projected as a leader. Slowly things started to change when he was put in the core group of the Deccan Chargers. Adam Gilchrist wanted Rohit Sharma to be the vice-captain,” Pragyan Ojha said.
Deccan Chargers lifted the IPL trophy in 2009, and Rohit Sharma scored 362 runs from 16 matches that season and scalped 11 wickets. Overall, Rohit Sharma scored 1,170 runs in 45 matches for Deccan Chargers.
After finishing at the bottom of the table in the inaugural edition in 2008, Deccan Chargers went to South Africa for the new season without any sponsors and had limited clothes and training kits. It was a massive turnaround by Deccan Chargers who rose from the bottom of the table to secure the title next year in 2009.
The Adam Gilchrist-led side defeated Delhi Daredevils (Now Capitals) by six wickets in the semi-final before beating Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final by six runs to lift the elusive trophy. Deccan Chargers had the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Rohit Sharma, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds, and Pragyan Ojha.
Rohit Sharma Later Went On To Become IPL’s Most Successful Captain So Far Winning 5 IPL Trophies With Mumbai Indians
Rohit Sharma, who made his India debut at the age of 20 back in 2007, played three seasons for Deccan Chargers before being picked up by Mumbai Indians in 2011, where he would go on to become IPL’s most successful captain.
“It had just maybe been two years that he had started playing international cricket but when he used to give feedback about certain players or give a certain game plan then the team management started to see the leadership qualities in him,” said Pragyan Ojha.
“Discussions had started within the Deccan Chargers team that if anyone was going to replace Gilchrist, it can be Rohit,” said Pragyan Ojha.
“People’s perspective about Rohit started to change from then that he is not only a capable batter but also can be a captain in future,” Pragyan Ojha added.
Rohit Sharma has led India in 22 T20Is, with the team winning 18 out of them. In ODIs, the team has won eight matches out of 10 under his leadership. In the IPL, Rohit Sharma has captained the side in 153 matches, winning 96 and losing 57. Pragyan Ojha further added that there was discussion within the Deccan Chargers management that Rohit Sharma might be the potential replacement for Adam Gilchrist as captain.