India's head coach Rahul Dravid recently commended captain Rohit Sharma for his exemplary leadership in the ongoing World Cup 2023. Speaking to the media before their final group match against the Netherlands, Dravid lauded Sharma's impact at the top of the batting order, emphasising his aggressive style of play.
Sharma's journey from missing the 2011 World Cup to captaining the Indian team in 2023 is noteworthy. Under his leadership, India has achieved a remarkable winning streak, securing eight consecutive victories in the tournament. The team, showcasing its freedom and expression under Sharma's guidance, aims to extend this unbeaten run in their upcoming match against the Netherlands in Bengaluru on November 12.
"And his captaincy has been terrific for a long time. He is someone who has got the respect of the team and the coaching staff. It's been a pleasure to see him operate the way he has. I think he is truly someone who deserves all the success that he has been getting and hopefully, it may continue," Dravid said.
India stands on the brink of surpassing their previous record for the most successive victories in a World Cup campaign, equaling the eight-match winning streak led by Sourav Ganguly in 2003. Dravid highlighted Sharma's fearless approach as an opener, stressing that his commitment to an aggressive strategy has been a key factor in the team's success.
Rohit Sharma has been instrumental in giving India strong starts, dominating the opposition's new-ball attack. He has amassed 442 runs at an impressive strike rate of over 100, demonstrating a selfless approach by targeting main bowlers from the opposition teams.
Notable innings from Sharma include a stunning 131 off 84 balls against Afghanistan, setting the stage for India's successful chase of 273, and a swift 86 off 63 balls against Pakistan, aiding India in reaching a target of 192 with ease. Additionally, his aggressive 45 against New Zealand in Dharamsala played a crucial role in another challenging chase.
Dravid pointed out that while some of these chases appeared difficult, Sharma's robust opening performances made them seem effortless, laying a solid foundation for the team. Sharma's leadership, both on and off the field, has not only inspired the team but also driven India towards remarkable achievements in World Cup 2023.
"Rohit is certainly been a leader, without a doubt. I think he has led by example on and off the field. Some of the starts he has given us, the way he has cracked open games for us. A lot of times people are looked at... there have been some games that could have turned tricky for us, but the kind of starts he has helped us crack open games," the Indian coach said.
"In the end, it actually looked easy, but on reflection, as a coaching staff when we went back and looked at it, we realised the importance of his innings in games like that. It has certainly made it easier for guys who have followed.
"He has been fantastic with his batting, the leadership that he has shown in taking on the game and in leading from the front. We have talked about playing the game in a particular way, you can't do that unless your leader really buys in and actually shows by example," Dravid added.
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