Rohit Sharma never desired to become the No.1 batter in the world: Mohammad Kaif

Former Indian batter and analyst Mohammad Kaif has stated that the former Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, never desired to emerge as the ICC No.1 ODI batter. Notably, he achieved the feat for the first time in his career.

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While Rohit went on to smack a 73-run knock in the Adelaide ODI against Australia Down Under, he levelled it up with a 121-run unbeaten knock in the Sydney ODI, propelling India to a consolation win in the three-match ODI series.

“The No. 1 ODI ranking has walked up to Rohit Sharma’s doorstep. He never desired to become the No. 1 batter in the world. He never made any statement about wanting that. His statements were always about one thing: that the team should win, that India should win, and that India should finish on top. That was his true aspiration when he was captain,” Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Furthermore, Kaif also emphasized that Rohit always prioritized Team India and never thought of his personal records. He also asserted that he went on to propel India to the No.1 side in both ODI and T20I formats as a captain. 

“He always said that impactful, match-winning knocks, no matter who plays them, make that player a hero for him, for the team, and for India. That was his consistent message. When Rohit became India’s ODI captain, the team was ranked No. 4 in the world. By the time he stepped down, India had become the No. 1 ODI side. Similarly, when he took charge of the T20I team, India was ranked No. 2, and when he left, they were No. 1,” he added.

“He always prioritized India, thinking about how the team could move forward and how it could win. That was his dream, and he fulfilled it. That’s why people admire him so much and regard him as a great captain,” he concluded.

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