R Ashwin Reveals How Rohit Sharma's Captaincy Stands Out from MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli's Leadership Styles

Ravichandran Ashwin provided insightful reflections on the leadership styles of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, in a recent interview and went on to add that Rohit and current coach Gautam Gambhir’s are very much similar, with one big difference being that Gambhir is an intense personality while Rohit tries to keep the team environment light.

Ashwin praised MS Dhoni for his stability and his nurturing approach towards players. “Dhoni’s stability as a player is something I admired. He provides opportunities and gives players a long run,” Ashwin noted. He highlighted Dhoni’s role in the development of players like Ravindra Jadeja, saying, “Jadeja was groomed as a finisher under Dhoni and has become an excellent all-rounder.”

Virat Kohli’s Inspirational Leadership

Ashwin described Virat Kohli’s leadership style as deeply inspiring. “Kohli leads from the front. Whatever he demands from the team, he does it himself first. His leadership is very inspirational,” Ashwin remarked.

Rohit Sharma’s Tactical Acumen and Team Atmosphere

Regarding Rohit Sharma, Ashwin emphasized his tactical strength and ability to maintain a positive team environment. “Rohit is tactically strong and puts in considerable effort before series or big matches by analysing with the analytics teams and coaches. He keeps the environment light and backs his players well,” Ashwin explained.

Gautam Gambhir’s Intense Leadership

Ashwin also touched on Gautam Gambhir’s intense leadership style. “Gambhir is very intense about his captaincy, which is similar to Rohit but with a higher degree of intensity,” Ashwin said.

Bond with Rahul Dravid

Ashwin spoke warmly about his relationship with Rahul Dravid, describing it as both deep and light-hearted. “Rahul and I share a unique bond. We played club cricket and the Duleep Trophy together. When he became head coach, our relationship evolved, and now I often make the most fun of him,” Ashwin revealed. He praised Dravid for his humor and insightful approach to cricket, noting, “Rahul bhai has a great sense of humor and can take a joke about himself. He always says that international cricket is about the moments that matter, like winning a series, not just individual runs or wickets.”

On the topic of perception and criticism, Ashwin offered a pragmatic view. “Some people create perceptions intentionally and will focus on your lows. Not everyone will celebrate you, but don’t waste time trying to change their opinions,” he advised.