As Team India continues to flourish, the debate over who makes a better captain—MS Dhoni or Rohit Sharma—remains a hot topic. Both captains have brought glory to Indian cricket, with Dhoni being the only captain to win all three ICC white-ball titles, while Rohit Sharma recently led India to a T20 World Cup victory, ending a decade-long ICC title drought.
However, according to spin legend Harbhajan Singh, Rohit Sharma stands out as the better captain. Speaking with Sports Yaari, Harbhajan shed light on why he believes Rohit’s leadership style is more effective than Dhoni’s, offering insights into their contrasting approaches.
Rohit Sharma: The People’s Captain
Harbhajan described Rohit Sharma as a “people’s captain,” emphasising how he connects with his teammates.Â
He noted that Rohit often seeks input from his players, making them feel involved and boosting their confidence.
“Rohit goes up to the players and asks them what they want. He puts his arm around their shoulders, giving them the assurance that they can do it,” Harbhajan explained.
This inclusive leadership style has earned Rohit respect in the dressing room and solidified his place as a beloved figure among teammates.
MS Dhoni: The Silent Leader
In contrast, Harbhajan highlighted Dhoni’s unique way of leading through silence. He recalled how Dhoni rarely approached players for advice, instead allowing them to learn from their mistakes.
Harbhajan shared an anecdote from his IPL days with the Chennai Super Kings, where Dhoni chose not to intervene when Shardul Thakur was repeatedly hit for boundaries by Kane Williamson.
“MS believed that players should learn on their own rather than being told what to do,” Harbhajan recounted. This hands-off approach helped players develop their own decision-making abilities.
While both captains have their merits, Harbhajan’s preference for Rohit lies in his personal touch and open communication with the team.
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