'Working with Rahul bhai was fantastic' - Rohit Sharma lavishes praises on India's head coach

Rohit Sharma’s appointment as India’s ODI captain has taken the cricket world by storm. The veteran opener takes over the charge from Virat Kohli, who’ll now lead India only in Test matches. As Kohli has done a phenomenal job while leading the ODI team, Rohit has big shoes to fill. Also, his appointment created substantial controversies as Virat, who stepped down as T20I captain post the T20 World Cup 2021, had stated that he would continue leading the team in Tests and ODIs.

However, BCCI selectors wanted only one skipper in white-ball cricket. Hence, Rohit took over the charge. Speaking of his approach as a leader, Rohit asserted that keeping the team atmosphere light and cheerful where people can ‘chill around’ is important in a sport like cricket. He also lauded new head coach Rahul Dravid for bringing a ‘sense of relaxation’ into the Indian dressing room.

For the unversed, India’s three-match T20I series against New Zealand last month was Dravid and Rohit’s first assignment and full-time head coach and captain respectively. Shedding light on Dravid’s working style, the veteran opener said Dravid understands the balance between playing tough and being relaxed.

Rahul Dravid brings a sense of relaxation in the dressing room: Rohit Sharma

“Working with Rahul bhai, I mean it was only three-odd games but it was fantastic. We have seen how he’s played his cricket – very tough, hard. And at the same time, there’s a sense of relaxation as well, you know, because it’s important to keep the atmosphere light and cheerful when you are doing a job on the field which is so demanding,” Rohit said in an interaction with BCCI.tv.

Goals & excitement 👍
Working with Rahul Dravid 👌@imVkohli's legacy as India's white-ball captain 👏#TeamIndia's new white-ball captain @ImRo45 discusses it all in this special feature for https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ 👍 👍

Watch the full interview 🎥 🔽https://t.co/JVS0Qff905 pic.twitter.com/kFlqZxWh5t

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2021

“You need to have an atmosphere where people can relax, just chill around, those kinds of things,” he added. It’s only been a little while but I have had so many interactions with him in the past about the game, about my personal game so it’s good to have him on board. And ya, it’ll be a very fruitful one I hope for the future,” he added.

Meanwhile, India is currently gearing up to tour South Africa for three Tests and as many ODIs. Notably, Rohit has also displaced Ajinkya Rahane as India’s Test vice-captain. Hence, there will be substantial responsibilities on his shoulders.