Rise of Rohit - the Test captain

Despite the initial stumbling blocks, Sharma is beginning to make his mark in the longest format

- GOMESH S

EVERY captain has unique traits on the field. Sometimes it changes from format to format. It was the case even for MS. Dhoni, who is arguably one of the greatest white-ball skippers, when he was found wanting in Test cricket. Rohit Sharma's rise to captaincy is a tad similar.

For someone who made a name in the shortest format at the Indian Premier League before ascending to white-ball and red-ball captaincy, Rohit is different from Dhoni in a couple of ways. Unlike Dhoni, who largely relies on instincts (at least that is what it seems like), Rohit's strength lies in preparing and going in with plan A, B and C. The other difference is when you look at Dhoni on the field, you might not get a read on him. His poker face will tell you nothing about what is he thinking or how he will react to the match situation.

Meanwhile, one look at Rohit and you will see that there are no filters. When the session or game is not going India's way, you can see it in his face. He will be worked up sometimes, and on other occasions, it would feel like he is just going through the motions without much planning or adaptation. It was quite evident during the ongoing five-match rubber against visiting England. In fact, for the better part of the Test series, that is how it felt.