Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra applauded Rohit Sharma as a leader who always put the team before his own self after his 10-year tenure as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) came to an end recently.

Releasing an official statement on Friday, December 15, Mumbai Indians shared that all-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead the team in the IPL 2024 season. Notably, Pandya was traded in from Gujarat Titans (GT) and reports were there that he could be named the new captain of the MI franchise.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “Rohit Sharma was one of the finest captains – 10 years, five trophies. A very successful captain. He understands the pulse of the game and managed the team really well. He always kept team ahead of self. Whether it was opening for the side or batting down the order, he did everything for Mumbai Indians that was asked of him.”

Under Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians won the IPL for the first time in 2013 and later won in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Along with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians are the joint most successful franchise in the IPL with five titles as well.

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“The biggest parameter [to judge a captain is], the players who have played under you, do they want to keep playing more under you. That defines you as a captain and a player. Whoever has played under Rohit has said that he is a very good captain; I want to play under him. He gives me my space. It’s an end of an era. He is one of the modern greats,” Aakash Chopra concluded.