Rahul Dravid praises Rohit Sharma’s evolution as player and leader

India captain Rohit Sharma made his international debut in 2007, under the leadership of Rahul Dravid. His tremendous potential helped him earn a call-up in India’s T20 World Cup squad in 2007. However, consistency remained an issue that led to him being dropped several times. It was in 2013 when MS Dhoni promoted him as an opener that changed Rohit’s career, as he went on to become one of the greatest white-ball openers.

Dravid saw the growth of Rohit up close and praised him for his evolution as a player and leader. Under his captaincy, India played three ICC finals in 13 months, winning one. He was effective with the bat in the ODI World Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2024, which impressed the former India head coach. 

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The 51-year-old also mentioned having a great time working with Rohit and lauded him for all the effort he has put in for the India team.

“I have really enjoyed working with Rohit. He is someone I knew as a young boy. Just to see him grow as a person, grow as a leader in Indian cricket. He is someone who is able to contribute to the team in the last ten or twelve years, both as a player and now as a leader. It has been a real tribute to him and the effort he has put in, the time he has put in. I really enjoy getting to know him as a person as well,” Dravid told BCCI.

Virat Kohli’s desire to get better is fascinating to watch: Dravid

Dravid also lauded Virat Kohli for his dedication and hunger to excel. The Delhi-born cricketer missed a lot of bilateral series in the last couple of years, but Dravid remembered his time as India captain in Test cricket and noted that it’s fascinating for him to watch Kohli’s desire to get better.

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“I only had a chance to work with him (Kohli) in a couple of series, in a couple of Test matches when he was the captain. I am getting to know him as well. His desire to improve, his desire to get better is fascinating to watch,” he said.