Ravichandran Ashwin has played under a variety of captains during his India and domestic career. From MS Dhoni to Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma, the ace offspinner is well aware of the leadership styles and qualities of the India stars who have led the team on various occasions.
Rohit recently led India during the ODI World Cup and the team had a campaign to remember as they made an unbeaten run to the final before losing to Australia.
Ashwin is full of praise for Rohit, calling him an ‘outstanding person’ who puts in the effort to get to know each player of his team.
“If you take a look at Indian cricket, everybody will be telling you that MS Dhoni is the best captain. Rohit Sharma is an outstanding person. He understands every single player in the team. He knows the likes and dislikes of each of us and has a great understanding. He puts in the effort to know each player personally,” Ashwin told former India cricketer S Badrinath on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin was part of India’s campaign but be played in just one match with India preferring Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department.
However, the 37-year-old has no qualms and understands how Rohit would have been wary of disturbing the winning combination for a big game like the final.
“As far as I playing the final is concerned, the team combination and all is secondary. Firstly, it’s about empathy – I keep stressing it a lot. It’s like standing in someone else’s shoes and looking at things from their perspective. Had I been in Rohit’s shoes, I would have thought 100 times about altering the combination. It was going alright for the team, so why rest a fast bowler for three spinners?,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin though revealed he was ready to take the field in case the team management had a change of heart and put him in the playing XI.
“Honestly, I understood Rohit Sharma’s thought process. Playing the final is big, I was preparing for three days in the lead-up. At the same time, I was also prepared to cheer for the side and run in with energy drinks if I was not given the opportunity. I was mentally prepared for that as well,” Ashwin said.
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