Next few months are critical to cementing Rohit Sharma's legacy as a leader: Ian Bishop

Rohit Sharma has so far led India in two ICC events. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, India crashed out in the semifinals after losing to eventual champions England. The Mumbai batter also led India in the World Test Championship final against Australia but the 'Men in Blue' suffered a heavy defeat. Rohit will have the chance to etch his name in the annals of Indian cricket as the Asian giants get ready to host the ODI World Cup in October-November.

Ian Bishop feels that if India can win important tournaments in the coming months like the Asia Cup and the 50-over World Cup, Rohit Sharma's legacy as captain will be immortalised. The former West Indies pacer reckoned that the five-time Indian Premier League-winning captain knows how crucial a World Cup title is for a team like India.

"These next few months are critical to cementing his legacy as a leader if he can take some of that silverware back home. As far as leadership role is concerned, he is obviously aware that India with all its resources - playing and economic - the fulfillment of an ICC tournament since that Champions Trophy in England is something they definitely want," Bishop said in an interview with RevSportz.

Rohit Sharma has been a general of the ODI format: Ian Bishop

Bishop opined that Rohit has been phenomenal in 50-over cricket. The right-handed batter has amassed 9837 runs in 244 matches at an average of 48.70 and a strike rate of 89.98 in ODI cricket. Bishop praised Rohit for his exploits in the format and also pointed out how he has been improving his credentials in red-ball cricket as well.

"Rohit has been an outstanding batter and particularly if you talk about his record in the 50-over format. Has been a general of that format. Now he is making a really good fist of his Test batting," Bishop said.

Rohit's next assignment is the Asia Cup in which India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and Nepal. The seven-time champions of the tournament begin their campaign by facing arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele.