Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra hailed Rohit Sharma as a leader who always put team before self after the latter’s 10-year tenure as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) came to an end.
Releasing an official statement on Friday, December 15, Mumbai Indians confirmed all-rounder Hardik Pandya as their captain for the IPL 2024 season. Pandya was traded in from Gujarat Titans (GT) and there were reports doing the rounds that he could be named the new leader of the MI franchise.
Aakash Chopra described the end of Rohit’s tenure as Mumbai Indians captain as the end of an era on his YouTube channel.
“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.”
Aakash Chopra
When Rohit took over, Mumbai Indians captured their first IPL title in 2013. They continued winning, lifting the trophy four more times in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. With five trophies each, Mumbai Indians tie with Chennai Super Kings as the most successful IPL franchises.
“Whoever has played under Rohit has said he is a very good captain” – Aakash Chopra
While reflecting on Rohit’s lengthy and successful career as Mumbai Indians captain, Chopra stated that the fact that players desire to continue playing under him in the IPL is his most enduring legacy as a leader.
“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
Rohit Sharma is the Mumbai Indians’ all-time highest run-scorer. In 243 innings, he has scored 6211 runs at an average of 29.58 with a strike rate of 130.05 with one hundred and 42 fifties.
