'I look at him as a crisis man' - Rohit Sharma on KL Rahul's utility

Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday, May 7. Having already called time on his T20I career in 2024, the 38-year-old will continue leading the Men in Blue in the ODI format.

Under Rohit's leadership, India reached the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI World Cup in 2023. In 2024, he helped the Asian Giants win the T20 World Cup after 17 years. In March, he spearheaded India to lift the Champions Trophy, a title which eluded them for 12 years. One of the many players who blossomed under Rohit's leadership is the highly-talented KL Rahul.

The Karnataka wicketkeeper-batter had been showing glimpses of his class under previous captains like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. However, he became much more consistent under Rohit's leadership. The legendary Rohit described Rahul as a "crisis man", highlighting his willingness to play different roles for the betterment of the team.

"In the last two-three years, he has been an important player for me. I look at him as a crisis man. Wherever we needed KL to do something, he has raised his hand. Have to do keeping, he will do it. Have to bat anywhere, he will do it," said Rohit while speaking to Vimal Kumar.

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Being thick-skinned is inbuilt in players: Rohit Sharma

The Nagpur-born asserted that he is unfazed by criticism as he has gone through the rigours of the sport for a very long time.

"I am tired of this. If it affected, then the player would be sitting at home. He would be on his bed thinking I am being criticized, I cannot play all this is happening with me. The whole world is against me. Being thick-skinned is inbuilt in players," Rohit said.

"I cannot say that it does not affect at all. It may affect some and it may not to others. Nothing happens to me. It has been a long time since I am playing now," he added.

Rohit called time on his Test career after playing 67 matches and scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.58. He notched up 18 fifties and 12 tons in his career, with a highest of 212 against South Africa in Ranchi in 2019.