Talented batter Sarfaraz Khan recently opened up on the impact of Rohit Sharma on the Indian cricket team, saying that the India captain is similar to Aamir Khan’s lead character from the Bollywood blockbuster ‘Lagaan’. Sarfaraz has said that Rohit treats everybody in the Test team with equal respect and creates a productive environment in the dressing room as well.
However, Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut earlier this year under Rohit Sharma’s leadership. The Mumbai batter has earned a much-awaited call-up to the Test team for India’s home series against England in 2024 as well. Sarfaraz made the most of it, scoring 200 runs in three matches as well, including three fifties. He was given the licence to play his naturally aggressive game in the middle order in his maiden series and he used the opportunity very well.
“He is very different. He makes you feel very comfortable. Rohit Sharma is like a big brother. We enjoy pa lot while playing under him. First, I saw him from the outside, now I have played with him to experience it. He doesn’t treat us like juniors, he treats everybody equally,” Sarfaraz Khan said, speaking to Jio Cinema ahead of India’s Test series against Bangladesh. “Lagaan is my favourite movie. Like how Aamir Khan made that team in the movie, in my eyes, Rohit Sharma is like Aamir Khan for this team,” he further added.
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However, Rohit Sharma has captained India in 16 matches since taking over from Virat Kohli in 2022 as well. He has been able to bring a calming influence to the Test team as well. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel also applauded Rohit’s effortless batting approach, saying that he was in awe watching him go about his business from close quarters. Jurel also made his Test debut during India’s Test series against England earlier this year as well.
“When we used to watch him on TV, people used to say ‘He has a lot of time (to play his shots). But, when you watch it from close, you realise that the deliveries that you struggle with, the deliveries for which your bat doesn’t flow properly, he is easily hitting them into the stands. His pull shot is very famous. Watching these things from up close is special. He is a GOAT,” Jurel said.
Both Sarfaraz and Dhruv Jurel found places in India’s 15-member squad, led by Rohit Sharma, for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. India’s first training session happened in Chennai, the venue of the first Test, on Friday, September 13.
