Rohit Sharma's fairytale World Cup journey, from not making the squad in 2011 to leading India in 2023

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is one match away from etching his name in the annals of history. He has led the Indian team to the finals of the ICC World Cup 2023, after leading the Men in Blue to 10 consecutive victories in the mega tournament.

However, it was the same Rohit Sharma who was heartbroken in the 2019 WC when India lost MS Dhoni’s wicket in the semi-final against New Zealand.

But even before that, it was also the same Rohit Sharma who was left out of the 2011 WC squad, the team that won the tournament. Today, the same player has led the team to the finals after 12 years.

Left out of 2011 WC squad

• The Indian skipper had expressed his disappointment after being excluded from the squad despite being a crucial part of the T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007.

• Rohit’s 2011 tweet has resurfaced since India's advancement to the finals. He had said, “Really really disappointed of not being part of the WC squad. I need to move on from here..but honestly it was a big setback..any views.”

  Really really disappointed of not being the part of the WC squad..I need to move on frm here..but honestly it was a big setback..any views!

  — Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 31, 2011

• According to the Indian Head Coach, Gary Kirsten, Rohit Sharma was excluded because MS Dhoni favored wrist-spinner Piyush Chawla as the 15th squad member.
• However, Sharma’s fortunes changed when Indian skipper MS Dhoni asked him to open the innings in 2013. Since then, Sharma has been an integral part of India’s opening pair and has solidified his position there.

Leading from the front

• Rohit Sharma’s batting standout in this World Cup has been his strike-rate, alleviating pressure on the 3rd and 4th batters.
• Sharma has scored 550 runs in 10 matches at an impressive strike-rate of 124.15. He has also become the first batter to hit 50 sixes in World Cup history.

  

   

• His aggressive batting style, particularly evident in pull shots, has set a high standard for other batters to maintain a pace that ensures India posts totals above 350, especially against formidable opponents like New Zealand.

85% win record as captain

• Rohit Sharma’s win percentage as captain is excellent, having won 24 out of 28 ODI matches, with only a series loss against New Zealand in 2019.
• Former Indian player Dinesh Karthik described Rohit Sharma as a bowler’s captain, highlighting the skipper's support for his bowlers.
• Former skipper Virat Kohli referred to him as a “very able and tactically sound captain.”
• Other cricketers like Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have praised Sharma for his fearless approach in captaincy.
• If Rohit Sharma wins the World Cup finals on November 19, he will join Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni as the third captain to lift the World Cup for India.