Rohit Sharma would've led Deccan Chargers before Mumbai Indians had it not been for auction: Pragyan Ojha

Rohit Sharma’s fortunes changed ever since he was made captain of Mumbai Indians midway through Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013. He took MI to their maiden title that season and there has been no looking back since then. With five trophies, the 34-year-old is currently the most successful captain in the IPL. He even leads India in all three formats of the game now.

Meanwhile, Rohit’s former teammate Pragyan Ojha has revealed that the right-handed batter would have led the now-defunct Deccan Chargers, a franchise which was dissolved in 2012, had Mumbai Indians not bought him in the IPL 2011 mega auction. For the unversed, before switching to MI, Rohit played under Adam Gilchrist for the Chargers in the first three IPL seasons. He made a name for himself with some terrific performances as MI bought him for $2,000,000 in the 2011 auction.

Adam Gilchrist identified Rohit Sharma’s leadership credentials: Pragyan Ojha  

Ojha, who shared both DC and MI dressing rooms with Rohit, revealed that Gilchrist had identified the batter’s leadership credentials and backed him to take over the reins. “As a batsman he was extraordinary. Then even Mumbai’s domestic team did not see him as a captain. But I distinctly remember that when Adam Gilchrist was captain, he kept Rohit in the think tank,” Ojha told Cricbuzz.

“He felt that the way Rohit batted, the clarity he showed and the ability he showed in pressure situations, he might have leadership qualities. And when his inputs started coming in, it surely felt like he could be the captain,” he added. The former left-arm spinner further said had there been no auction before the fourth season, Rohit would have led Chargers before MI.

“Had there been no auction after the third season, then probably Rohit would have led the Deccan Chargers side before leading the Mumbai Indians team. Because Gilchrist had already said ‘Rohit is ready now’. But in auction, it’s not in anybody’s hand, and everyone knew that Mumbai Indians would go after Rohit Sharma because after Sachin Tendulkar, they felt that if anyone could lead the side then it would be Rohit,” asserted Ojha.