Team India’s captaincy situation has been a subject of debate, with shifts between Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and even Hardik Pandya leading the side in white-ball cricket. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, an admirer of Rohit Sharma, recently voiced his concerns about Rohit’s captaincy abilities, suggesting that he tends to panic under pressure.
While Akhtar acknowledges Rohit’s exceptional talent, he believes the leadership role might not suit him well due to his tendency to become flustered during crucial moments. Akhtar expressed his thoughts during an interview with RevSportz, emphasizing that although Rohit possesses an array of shots and is more naturally gifted than Virat Kohli, the pressure associated with captaincy could be affecting his performance.
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“Rohit is a great guy. But I don’t think he should have taken the captaincy. He panics a bit under pressure. He is perhaps more talented than even Virat Kohli and has all the shots. But does captaincy suit him? I question myself most of the time. But he will have the home crowd behind him and has the ability to win the World Cup,” Shoaib Akhtar stated.
Shoaib Akhtar went on to discuss the larger context of India’s performance in ICC events. He attributed India’s lack of ICC title victories since their 2013 Champions Trophy win to the immense pressure placed on the team by the media. He criticized the media for creating an environment where it’s expected that India cannot lose a match, leading to undue pressure on the players.
“After 2013, captaincy has become a bit crippled. Virat sometimes used to be over-aggressive. Rohit used to panic a bit too much. The media puts too much pressure on the players. They show as if India just cannot lose the match. Why can’t they? They also slam them when they lose. Don’t do this,” Shoaib Akhtar urged.
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As India gears up for the 2023 World Cup, Rohit Sharma will be at the helm of the team. With a talented squad at his disposal, all eyes will be on whether India can overcome the perceived jinx and secure an ICC title. The pressure on Rohit’s captaincy and the team’s performance will be intense, particularly given the expectations set by fans and media alike.
