Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, a two-time IPL-winning captain with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has recently opened up about the challenges he faced while captaining against Rohit Sharma, the former captain of the Mumbai Indians. In an interview with Star Sports, Gambhir revealed that Rohit Sharma was the only batter who gave him sleepless nights and nightmares during his tenure as KKR captain from 2011 to 2017.
Gambhir acknowledged the strategic brilliance and batting prowess of Rohit Sharma, stating that no other batter made him rethink his plans as much as Rohit did. According to Gambhir, Rohit had the ability to change the complexion of a game swiftly, making him a formidable opponent on the field. Despite facing big hitters like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, Gambhir emphasized that it was Rohit Sharma who posed the greatest challenge for him.
Both Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma are highly successful captains in the IPL. Rohit won his first IPL title with the Deccan Chargers in 2009, while Gambhir had to wait until 2012 with KKR to claim his maiden championship. The two franchises, KKR and MI, shared four titles between 2012 and 2015, establishing themselves as dominant forces in the IPL during that period.
Gambhir, who started his IPL journey with the Delhi Daredevils before joining KKR in 2011, played a crucial role in leading the Kolkata-based franchise to victory in 2012 and 2014. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma led MI to their first IPL title in 2013 and secured another championship in 2015.
In the interview, Gautam Gambhir expressed the meticulous planning required to counter Rohit Sharma’s batting prowess. He mentioned having multiple plans (Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C) to tackle Rohit because of his ability to control the game once he was in form. Gambhir recalled nights before facing MI, where he would analyze and strategize, knowing that Rohit Sharma required special attention.
As the 2024 IPL season approaches, Gautam Gambhir, now serving as a mentor for KKR, reflected on the challenges posed by Rohit Sharma. Interestingly, MI will have a new captain, Hardik Pandya, for the first time since 2013. Gambhir’s insights into facing Rohit highlight the impact the Indian captain has had on opponents and add anticipation to how the Mumbai Indians’ 2024 season will unfold under Pandya’s leadership.
