This time around, who knows it could well be the turn of Rohit Sharma to show his different colours. And not to forget that he has this tag of being a good leader while leading Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League.
It was here last time around when Virat Kohli was declared unfit to take on the field against Australia in the only Test played on this picturesque ground here, Ajinkya Rahane surprisingly emerged as more aggressive and confident leader by leading Team India to an impressive win.
This time around, who knows it could well be the turn of Rohit Sharma to show his different colours. And not to forget that he has this tag of being a good leader while leading Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League.
Nevertheless, the command of national team has only added to the new-found confidence in this 30-year-old Mumbaikar.
Having now been an integral part of Indian Test team after a successful series against Lanka, Sharma will be eager to cash in on this opportunity to lead India to a whitewash against the unfancy opposition. And if he could do so then Team India will again be sitting on the top of ODI table, overtaking South Africa where they tour next.
Asked how different it will be from leading Mumbai Indians, Rohit said: "It will be completely a different ball game all together but the process and basics of captaincy will remain the same. We have a different set of players than the IPL team but having played with these guys for some time now, I do understand their strengths and weaknesses. It will be all about going there and executing and making everyone comfortable," Rohit said.
Rohit revealed that he won't do anything different from what he does in the IPL. "I don't need to change anything. I just need to carry from where we left as a team and yes IPL and international cricket is completely different — the pressure and mindset of the players is absolutely different. I myself will not change much. I will try to be at the present and make those changes when necessary," the stand-in captain said.
Sharma is already talking like a matured skipper. Knowing from his own experience as a youngster, Sharma understands that few new faces in the team — Shreyas Iyer, Siddharth Kaul along with likes of Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik — needs to be given complete backing of the team thinktank.
"It is important to give these guys fair amount of games before they prove themselves. It is important they get enough games and gain confidence. There are guys who haven't got enough games on the trot," said the new skipper, adding: "As a part of the team management, we want to make sure that they get certain number of games continuously and then it is up to them what they do with that opportunity."
However, Sharma emphasised that playing for Team India means a serious business and none should take their place for granted. "They completely understand that they need to perform as there is a lot of competition in the middle-order. In fact everywhere, and they have to grab the opportunity and make it to the 11. We don't want to put any pressure and make sure that they don't carry any burden when they walk out to the field."
Sharma has ready example of Jasprit Bumrah graduating to Test cricket. The ODI specialist bowler has been rewarded with a Test spot in the South African bound team for his consistent showing in last two seasons.
"It is a great boost for him (Bumrah) to be a part of the Test squad. Over the last year or so, how he has improved himself, on his bowling and fitness as well. It is a lesson for many cricketers that if you put in the hard yards, you will get rewarded. And Bumrah has been rewarded for the things he has done in the past few years," Rohit commended his IPL team-mate.
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