'He is very relaxed and gives you the freedom' - Harshal Patel describes Rohit Sharma's captaincy style

Rohit Sharma was appointed as Team India’s T20I skipper after Virat Kohli stepped down from the position post the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Rohit’s captaincy reign in the shortest format got off to a good start as India whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in the home series in November. Meanwhile, pacer Harshal Patel who made his T20I debut for the Indian team in that series has described the leadership abilities of Rohit.

Harshal said that Sharma gives freedom to the bowlers and shows full faith in him to deliver. The former RCB cricketer has been roped into the Indian team for the upcoming home T20I series against the West Indies as well. He was the purple cap winner for picking most wickets in the IPL 2021.

Rohit Sharma is very relaxed, says Harshal Patel

“He [Rohit Sharma] will basically give you the ball and if he has confidence in you, he will not tell you about what to do. ‘You know what to do, just go and do it’. So, he is that kind of a captain and I really enjoy playing under those kinds of captains,” said Harshal Patel while speaking on the Star Sports show Follow The Blues.

“I have my plans- Plan A, B, C so even when I get hit, I know what to do. I don’t like a lot of outside input and he fits exactly into that kind of personality as a captain. He is very relaxed and he gives you the freedom”, the 31-year-old added.

Harshal Patel played in the last two games against the Kiwis in his debut series and finished with four scalps to his name. Rohit Sharma was also named the ODI captain after Kohli was sacked from the post in December. With the latter relinquishing Test captaincy last month, Rohit reportedly is expected to lead India in red-ball cricket as well.

The opening batter missed the bilateral series against South Africa due to an injury and he will be back in action when the Men In Blue take on the West Indies in the home limited-overs series starting February 6.