NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor
Gautam Gambhir
delved into the remarkable journey of
Rohit Sharma
, as the current Indian captain celebrated his 37th birthday on Tuesday.
Recalling a pivotal moment in Sharma's early career, Gambhir, in a recent interview with Sportskeeda, reminisced about a series in Sri Lanka where Sharma faced criticism after a string of low scores.
Offering words of encouragement, Gambhir told Sharma, "As much knowledge as I have of cricket, and from the cricket that I've seen, you are going to dominate world cricket."
This prophetic statement from Gambhir has since come to fruition, with Sharma establishing himself as one of the premier batsmen in the world.
Despite early challenges, Sharma's resilience and determination propelled him to success. Gambhir praised Sharma's ability to turn talent into consistent performance at the highest level, noting, "He didn't have a very easy start in international cricket, he had a difficult start."
Reflecting on Sharma's leadership qualities, Gambhir highlighted how Rohit's early struggles shaped his approach to captaincy.
"If his start was very easy, he would have always felt that international cricket is very easy," Gambhir remarked. "Today, if any young player is struggling, Rohit Sharma will feel that if it was tough for him, it will be difficult for him as well. That's why he probably leads that well and keeps it very balanced."
Acknowledging Sharma's prowess on the field, Gambhir admitted the challenge of devising strategies to contain him as an opponent. Despite their competitive rivalry, Gambhir expressed admiration for Sharma's contributions to the game, including pivotal moments such as run-outs and match-winning performances.
Gambhir concluded by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside Sharma at the 2007
T20 World Cup
, stating, "People talk about my knock and Irfan's spell, but Rohit Sharma's contribution towards the back end, his run out against South Africa, are all the memories I have of him. I've enjoyed playing with him and interacting with him."
Gambhir's reflections serve as a poignant reminder of Sharma's enduring impact on Indian cricket and his journey from adversity to greatness.
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