How and why Rohit Sharma got the extension to lead India in England

Not too long after India had scored the winning runs in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai, Rohit Sharma was assured that he would remain the Test captain for the June-August England tour. It is learnt that the sweaty T-shirts were still to dry and emotions of a second ICC Cup in a matter of months still to sink in, when Rohit got the all-important vote-of-confidence.

And thus ended Indian cricket’s latest leadership speculation that had peaked during the Border Gavaskar Trophy a month back. It also guaranteed a relatively peaceful IPL without the regular intrigue of the succession drama for those who consider Tests and ODIs to be on par with the franchise T20 cricket.

So when exactly did the decision-makers make up their mind over Rohit’s future as Indian captain? Was it when he was dancing down the track hitting the Kiwi bowlers out of the ground like Rohit of old and giving India the flying like he did during the last two ICC events? Or was it when he was being the white-ball Mike Brearley, shuffling his spinners, setting traps, strangling the opposition into submission?

Those in the know say it was the latter.

Story continues below this ad

Rohit Sharma winning Champions Trophy 2025. (FILE photo) Rohit Sharma winning Champions Trophy 2025. (FILE photo)

That’s because India have many opening batting options – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, and KL Rahul to name a few – but not one captaincy candidate who can match Rohit’s tactical acumen. He has the patience and nuance – a rare quality among modern-day cricketing leaders – to play the waiting game when chips are down in Tests.

In England, captains need to be persistent. They also need to be leaders with strong convictions, who can convince their players to keep pushing even during long fruitless periods.

Contrary to the general perception, England isn’t all about swing bowlers having a field day and wickets falling in heaps. It is also the place where batsmen stitch long partnerships after they have negotiated the early tricky spell when the ball is dancing around.

Daddy Hundreds is a phrase coined in England by their batting legend Graham Gooch. He was the father of Daddy Hundreds during his playing days. When he became England’s batting coach, his captain Alastair Cook took the baton and started running those run-marathons. Unfortunately, India has suffered at the hands of both.

Story continues below this ad

Indian cricketer Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma with Champions Trophy 2025. (FILE photo)

There is also another English saying that gives an idea about the cricket narrative across counties. You wait ages for a bus, and then two or more come along at once. Wickets come in bunches – but only if captains are willing to be relentless in their pursuit. They can’t switch-off or let the game drift.

Captain’s quicksand

Even the best in business have failed this tough test. They gave up and paid the price. MS Dhoni, the much celebrated white-ball captain, had often looked clueless in Tests in England. Out of the 9 Tests he led in England, India lost 7.

During the 2011 series, where India lost all the four Tests, a team official confided that Dhoni would catch a nap when the team was batting. On the field too he would sleep-walk as the Test slipped from his hands. Ultra aggression and restlessness too doesn’t work in England. Under Kohli India lost 1-4 in 2018.

The last team to win in England, 2007, was under Rahul Dravid and little needs to be said about the tenacity of a cricketer called The Wall. That was the team that had the last of India’s Test titans – Tendulkar, Ganguly, Kumble, Laxman and Zaheer. Later day Indian teams did win in Australia but England remained unconquered for more than a decade and a half. Rohit too has a team that has Test pros – Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul. He too can dig trenches, stay alert and keep chipping.

Story continues below this ad

Like Dravid, Rohit too wears the worried expression on his face when he leads. He too comes across as a harried family patriarch, burdened by decision-making and the general well-being of his unit.

India’s captain Rohit Sharma poses with the winners trophy after defeating New Zealand in the final cricket match of the ICC Champions Trophy at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP) India’s captain Rohit Sharma poses with the winners trophy after defeating New Zealand in the final cricket match of the ICC Champions Trophy at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP)

Rohit is a better man-manager than Dravid. And with England still carrying the trauma of the 2024 loss in India and presently confused about their Test-match approach – to Bazball or not? – India this summer can be expected to have an edge.

Bumrah is a highly viable captaincy option and the perfect skipper-in-waiting. By the sheer weight of his performance, he is an able captain, who leads by example. Bumrah is also a thinking player. He is a vociferous reader of a batsman’s mind – second-guessing their shots has become his second nature.

Bumrah’s time will come as Rohit has earned this extension. Rohit has spent more time on the field, dragging many teams out of holes. Six IPL victories, steamrolling of Baz-ballers and 2 ICC titles – you need these sparkling credentials to survive Test losses against New Zealand and Australia.

Story continues below this ad

As compared to the Team India pressures, IPL will be a stroll for Rohit. At MI, the pressure will be on Hardik. After a forgettable 2024, it is him who needs to make a point.

Meanwhile, Rohit has re-discovered his touch. He is again coming inside the line and flicking the pacers over the square leg fence. He is also timing his foray down the pitch perfectly to smash them over mid-wicket. This is Rohit’s chance to be that carefree kid again, the prodigy in the Deccan Chargers shirt. It’s too fleeting a phase, a temporary luxury to not think about others around him. He needs to enjoy it as long as it lasts, as in England he will again have to be the harried family patriarch, burdened with decision-making and the general well-being of his army.

Send feedback to sandydwivedi@gmail.com

Click here to read article