In the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharmaled India as captain to their 7th Asia Cup title on Friday with a victory over Bangladesh in the final. Coach Ravi Shastri was quick to point out Sharma’s ability to remain calm on the field at the press conference. The 31-year-old, on being asked about the same, said he learned from former captain MS Dhoni on how to maintain calm in tense situations and has imbibed similar qualities in himself. “Whatever I have seen of him (Dhoni) leading the side for all these years, he never panicked, took time while taking decisions. There are those similarities in me too,” Sharma told reporters at the press conference after the final match.
“I also try to first think and then react. Yes, 50-over cricket gives you time but still you need to take time as well. I have learned this from seeing him, we have played for so many years under his captaincy,” he added.
The right-handed batsman further added that Dhoni is always ready to pitch in with advice on the field. “Whenever there is something, he is ready with advice. We always keep on learning from Dhoni bhai because he has been such a great captain. Whenever there were questions or doubts on the field, he was always there to answer,” he said.
On being questioned whether he is ready to take on the captaincy role full-time, Sharma, who has won three IPL trophies as captain with Mumbai Indians, and also won the Nidahas T20 trophy back in March, said he will be up for the task whenever the opportunity comes his way. “Definitely. We have just won so I will surely be ready (for captaincy). Whenever the opportunity comes, I will be ready,” he said.
