'Rohit Sharma is a bit laid-back...': Legendary India cricketer's big statement on India skipper

SportsTak

The legendary India cricketer and the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly feels that the India skipper Rohit Sharma is 'a bit laid back' when it comes to captaincy and takes things in a very calm and cautious way. Ganguly wants Rohit to get enough time to produce results.

After Virat Kohli stepped down from India captaincy, Rohit took over the mantle and hasn't lost a single series since becoming the full-time all-format skipper.

 

"Rohit Sharma is obviously a bit laid back who takes things in a very calm and cautious way and not someone who's into your face all the time," Ganguly said during the Bengal Peerless event on 'Leadership in Modern India'.

 

Ganguly was impressed by Rohit, who has won a record five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles for Mumbai Indians, and said he should be given a longer rope before being compared with the likes of the great MS Dhoni and Kohli.

 

Sourav Ganguly further said that Team India have produced some really great captains over the years, including MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. He elaborated:

"India has produced some great captains over the years. MS Dhoni who handled the transition fantastically, and continues to bring accolades not just for India but his franchise (Chennai Super Kings).

 

"Then came Virat Kohli who also has a fantastic record. He was a different sort of captain, he did things differently.

"Every individual is different but what matters is the result and how many wins and losses you have. I don't compare captains, everybody has their way of leadership.

 

"We give responsibility to someone, then we want him to do the things the way we want it, and I think that's not correct. When you back someone let him captain, give him a bit of time to give results, and then see what happens."

 

Ganguly also walked down the memory lane and opened up on his decision to bowl in the 2003 World Cup final between India and Australia which drew a lot of criticism as Ricky Ponting-led side went on to lift the World Cup after toying with the Indian attack to post a massive 359/2.

 

“No regrets on the decision”, Ganguly said.

 

"I don't think in retrospect. I was disappointed that I lost the final but I don't think toss was the reason to lose the final. We did not play well," he said.

Asked to comment on FIFA's ban on Indian football, he said: "I don't deal with football so I won't be able to answer that question. But I think every sports body has a system, every sports body has its rules and regulations. We at BCCI also have rules and protocols," he further added.