‘Rohit is always with the players’ - Parthiv Patel recalls Rohit Sharma backing Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has been a stalwart for the Indian team for many years now. Over the years, the legendary opener has been an influential player who not only continues to make a huge impact for the side but he has also been largely supportive towards youngsters in the team. 

Apart from team India, the 'Hitman' has been influential for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his captaincy, Mumbai Indians brought out many youngsters in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Recalling one such incident about Rohit Sharma supporting the youngsters in the side, former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel came forward to reveal how Rohit saved Bumrah from being released by MI.

“Rohit is always with the players, and the biggest examples of it are Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Bumrah joined MI in 2014, but when he played his first season in 2015, it didn't turn out that well. MI had decided to drop Bumrah midway through the season, but Rohit felt this was one solid player and that they should keep him. And you saw how from 2016, Bumrah's performance reached the next level," Parthiv Patel told JioCinema.

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Same with Hardik Pandya, in 2016 he had a bad season: Patel

Furthermore, Parthiv Patel talked of the example of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, opining how similar to Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit showed his support for Pandya as well when he came into the team.

"Same with Hardik Pandya. When he joined in 2015, he became quite the rage but in 2016 he had a bad season. The thing is when you're an uncapped player, franchises release you quickly and then assess how a player is performing in Ranji Trophy or other domestic matches before maybe taking them back. But Rohit did not let it happen. That's why these guys went on to become the players that they did," Parthiv Patel said.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma is a 5-time IPL winner as a captain, removing him is a big decision: Yuvraj Singh