"Rohit entered the golden phase of his career after 2013" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma's journey as a cricketer
Aakash Chopra has reflected on Rohit Sharma's journey as a cricketer. The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the current Indian Test and ODI skipper's promotion to the top of the order in 2013 was the turning point in his career.
Rohit started his career across formats as a middle-order batter. He had middling returns in the middle order before enjoying great success as an opener in white-ball cricket and subsequently in Tests.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that MS Dhoni's decision to promote Rohit to the opener's position was a game-changer after the latter had a 'rollercoaster' start to his limited-overs career.
"Rohit's starting years in international cricket were like a rollercoaster. His talent was evident but he couldn't convert his starts into big scores. He had a big setback in 2011 when Rohit was left out of the ICC World Cup squad. It was a devastating moment for Rohit. A pivotal moment in Rohit Sharma's career was when he was opening with Shikhar Dhawan in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy," he said (1:55).
"Opening gave him the freedom to play his natural game and Rohit's career started soaring from there. Rohit entered the golden phase of his career after 2013. Rohit became the most prolific batter in limited-overs cricket. He was recognized for his ability to play long innings and accelerate. Rohit's ability to shift gears during his innings has become legendary," the former India opener added.
Rohit has aggregated 2030 runs at an average of 32.74 in 81 ODI innings as a middle-order batter. He has performed much better as an opener, amassing 8836 runs at an average of 55.57 in 176 innings.
"Rohit had to struggle a lot to cement his place after scoring those twin centuries" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma's Test career
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Rohit Sharma's Test career went into a nosedive after a glorious start.
"He made a fabulous Test debut as well. It was at the Eden Gardens ground against the West Indies. He scored 177 runs on his debut and then an unbeaten 111 in Sachin's (Tendulkar) final Test at the Wankhede. However, Rohit had to struggle a lot to cement his place after scoring those twin centuries. Till October 2016, he hadn't scored a century for 34 innings, barring the first two ones," he observed (5:30).
The reputed commentator added that the right-hander's elevation to the top of the order changed his Test career too.
"After that, the limited-overs label was put on him. In October 2019, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri made up their mind to try Rohit as an opener for the first time. He scored twin centuries against South Africa in Vizag, then smashed 212 runs in the third Test, and cemented his place. In 2021, he gave fantastic performances against England away from home as an opener and he was made the Test captain in February 2022," Chopra stated.
Chopra observed that Rohit endured a heartbreaking moment as skipper when India lost the 2023 ODI World Cup final to Australia.
"The heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup also happened. He led India in the home tournament and crossed the group stage easily. They kept winning continuously but India had to face defeat against Australia in the final, and Rohit Sharma's disappointment was clearly evident," he said.
However, the 46-year-old added that the Mumbaikar made up for it by taking India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title with his astute leadership.
"He led India with a well-balanced squad in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He wanted four spinners. He said he had something else in his mind and he remained steady with his vision despite setbacks. The 2024 T20 World Cup was the culmination of Rohit Sharma's journey. India played strategic and aggressive cricket under his leadership," Chopra noted.
Chopra concluded by stating that Rohit's journey from being left out of the 2011 World Cup to winning the 2024 T20 World Cup is a story of resilience, growth, and ultimate triumph. He observed that the Hitman, as he is fondly called, has excelled in the Indian Premier League as well, winning six titles, including five as the Mumbai Indians skipper.