September 3, 2024

R. Ashwin Highlights Key Differences Between Captains Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently discussed the differences in captaincy styles between MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. Having played under all three, Ashwin has witnessed their leadership during some of the team’s notable successes over the past decade.

While comparisons between these captains are common, Ashwin highlighted that Rohit Sharma stands out for his tactical approach, which he believes is more pronounced than that of Dhoni and Kohli.

“2-3 things are nice about Rohit’s captaincy. He always keep the environment of the team light. He makes an effort to keep it light. And he stays very balanced and tactically he is strong. Both Dhoni and Virat were also tactically strong but Rohit works more on the tactics,” said Ashwin in an interview with Vimal Kumar.

Ashwin also shared that before major matches or series, Rohit Sharma works closely with the Indian cricket team’s analytics team. Together, they create detailed strategies and specific plans for different players.

“If there is any big match or series coming up, Rohit sits with the analytics team and coach and prepares for it, like what’s the weakness of a particular batsman, what’s the plan of a bowler. That’s his strength but he always keeps the environment of the team light and backs the players. If he selects a player in the XI, he backs them 100%. I have played most of my career with these three captains,” he added.

Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes addressed rumors about Indian captain Rohit Sharma possibly joining the franchise for the IPL 2025 season. With the mega auction approaching, there is ongoing uncertainty about Rohit’s future. Recently, there have been growing speculations that Rohit might leave the Mumbai Indians.

“I mean, there’s the balance of teams, who’s in the side. I love watching Rohit Sharma bat, but I’m not saying he must come in and replace, and then suddenly we change our setup. So whatever, as I said, whatever happens, who is ever there? I’ll be doing my best to support,” he told ANI.

“Na Batting, Na Fielding”: Pakistan Skipper Shan Masood Lambasted On Social Media

Since the beginning of the Test series against Bangladesh, Shan Masood has been a frequent target of criticism on social media. The Pakistan cricket team is struggling both on and off the field. They have faced significant upheavals with frequent changes in the board and coaching staff, and their performance has been consistently disappointing.

After a surprising defeat in the first Test—their first-ever loss to Bangladesh in Test cricket—Pakistan’s woes continued in the second Test. The match in Rawalpindi has seen further criticism, particularly directed at captain Shan Masood. On Day 3 of the ongoing Test, Masood’s fielding came under fire when he dropped a relatively simple catch, allowing Bangladesh batter Hasan Mahmud another chance to contribute. This incident has added to the growing scrutiny of Masood’s leadership and fielding skills.

The incident took place during the 75th over of Bangladesh’s first innings. Hasan Mahmud, attempting a shot off a delivery from pacer Khuram Shahzad, mistimed his stroke. The ball, a straightforward chance, traveled directly to Shan Masood, who was positioned at cover. Despite Masood’s best efforts to secure the catch, he was unable to hold onto it, and the ball dropped onto the grass.

This lapse in fielding left Masood’s teammates in disbelief, as the missed opportunity could have been a crucial wicket for Pakistan. The moment quickly gained traction on social media, where it was widely shared and discussed. Fans took to various platforms to express their frustration, heavily criticizing Masood for the error. The drop has intensified scrutiny on Masood’s performance and leadership, adding to the growing pressure on him and the team.