NEW DELHI: India's Test series triumph over England, marked by a 4-1 victory, saw skipper
Rohit Sharma
bask in the camaraderie of his young, "mischievous" teammates, expressing overwhelming emotions as they made their debuts on the monumental stage.
In the absence of key players like
Virat Kohli
, the series witnessed the emergence of five debutants –
Rajat Patidar
,
Dhruv Jurel
,
Sarfaraz Khan
,
Akash Deep
, and Devdutt Padikkal – showcasing resilience after an initial setback in the opening Test in Hyderabad.
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Sharing his sentiments on his Instagram handle "Team Ro," Rohit Sharma reflected on his delight in playing alongside the young talents, describing them as spirited individuals. "Personally, mujhe inke saath kaam karke bahut maza aya. Jitne bhi young ladke the... sabkaafi chulbule the," he expressed.
Rohit acknowledged his familiarity with the youngsters' strengths and playing styles, aiming to provide them with comfort and encouragement. He praised their response to his guidance and that of coach
Rahul Dravid
, emphasizing their superb adaptability.
The India skipper was visibly moved by the debutants' stories and the emotional atmosphere surrounding their maiden appearances.
"I was lost in the debut of all these boys. Their parents were also there, there were a lot of emotions. I really enjoyed seeing their debuts," Rohit shared.
Highlighting the example of Sarfaraz Khan, Rohit Sharma recounted his personal connection with the young cricketer's family, having played against his father in Mumbai's Kanga league during his youth.
"I was just lost in their debuts. I was enjoying their debuts so much because their parents were there. There was so much emotion. I have played with Sarfaraz's father in Kanga league when I was very young. His father was a left handed batter. He was an aggressive player and very well known in Mumbai cricket circles. I wanted to acknowledge his effort and hard work that had paid off with his son playing for India. I just wanted to tell him that his son's Test cap belongs as much to him as his son," Rohit said.
He expressed his admiration for Sarfaraz's journey and the significance of his Test cap, acknowledging the role of the debutants' parents in their achievements.
Rohit's heartfelt reflections underscore the sense of unity and pride within the Indian team, as they celebrate the emergence of a new generation of talent amidst their triumphant Test campaign.