Reports: Virat Kohli and Shastri ask Rohit Sharma to guide the youngsters in the team

Rohit Sharma, the India and Mumbai Indians batsman, has been one of the most explosive openers in recent times. With over 8,500 runs in ODIs and more than 2,400 runs in T20Is, he also has 27 centuries in 50 overs cricket and 4 hundreds in T20Is. The batsman is the only one to hit three double hundreds in ODI cricket history including the highest individual score of 264.

Not only has he led with the bat, scoring five centuries, another world record in the ICC World Cup 2019, but Rohit has also led Indian team will amazing success, including the Nidahas T20I tri-series and Asia Cup in 2018. He has been an amazing deputy to Virat Kohli and has captained the team nicely in his absence and now it seems, Kohli and coach Shastri want him to take up more responsibilities.

Rohit must be more vocal in helping youngsters in Dhoni’s absence

MS Dhoni is on an extended sabbatical from international cricket to give Rishabh Pant every opportunity to cement his place in the team for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2020. When he was on the field, he guided not only the bowlers, but also fielders benefitted from his vast experience, but with him missing in action, Kohli and Shastri want Rohit to take up the mantle of guide for youngsters.

“See, you don’t want too many cooks to spoil the broth. There is always the need to have a fine balance and not confuse the youngsters in the middle of a match. So, when MS was there behind the wicket, it was Kohli and MS who would do the guiding,” a source close to team management was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.

Rohit Sharma is an able leader given that he has led the Mumbai Indians to a record four IPL titles, with the latest one coming this year itself when MI defeated Dhoni’s CSK in the finals by one run. Currently serving as the vice-captain of India in limited-overs cricket, many have clamoured for him to take over the captaincy in limited-overs given Kohli’s inability to win an ICC tournament in his leadership.

“In Dhoni’s absence, it was felt that it would be great to have Rohit sharing his thoughts with the youngsters and being vocal on the field. Rohit has been a part of the leadership group for a while now and it is not like this is the first time that he is sharing his ideas with the players. The captain and coach trust his instincts and it is great when a senior member walks up to a bowler and suggests ways to trump the opposition batsman,” the source added further.

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