Rohit Sharma opens up on captaincy: Rohit Sharma spoke openly on captaincy, also gave statement on selection
Last Updated:
Rohit Sharma spoke openly about the captaincy of the teamNew Delhi. Former Indian team captain Rohit Sharma has given a statement regarding leading the team. When you’re the captain of the Indian cricket team, keeping everyone happy is rarely a priority. Rohit Sharma accepted this truth and recalled some of the most difficult decisions taken during his captaincy. Also recognize that leadership often begins with accepting disappointment.
“You can’t please everyone,” Rohit said in a show on JioHotstar, where he talked about the challenge of leading a team with constant expectations and scrutiny. For him, tough decisions had to be taken before a big tournament and handling them required both clarity and sensitivity.
What did Rohit Sharma say on team selection
Finalizing the team for global events is the biggest responsibility for any captain. Rohit recalled that the selection meetings before the World Cup often tested his confidence and conscience, where team balance was placed above individual ability.
The most talked about thing happened in 2022, when Shreyas Iyer was dropped from both the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup held in Australia. Rohit insisted that the decision was not due to form or ability. Rather, the team wanted a player who could contribute with both bat and ball, and Deepak Hooda’s all-round skills gave the team more flexibility. Rohit said, “We felt that we need a player who can contribute a little more with the ball.” Shreyas must have felt bad, Deepak must have been happy. This is the way.”
He said that not only the decision but how it was communicated also matters. Rohit himself, along with head coach Rahul Dravid, explained the reasons to Iyer so that transparency could be maintained, even if the outcome was painful. Similar conversations took place in later years also. Mohammed Siraj’s exclusion from the 2025 Champions Trophy and Yuzvendra Chahal’s non-selection in the 2023 ODI World Cup team were also difficult moments. Every time, Rohit said that the basic principle remained the same. How to make best use of 15 players according to the needs and circumstances of the team. “As long as you have the right reason and you explain it properly, it’s fine,” he said.
About the Author
Active in sports journalism for more than 15 years. Worked in cricket website of Etv Bharat, Zee News. Was the sports head of Dainik Jagran website. Covered the Olympics, Commonwealth, Cricket and Football World Cups. October…read more
