Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has shared his candid thoughts on the contrasting captaincy styles of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Having played under both leaders, Harbhajan’s insights provide a unique perspective on what makes each of them successful in their own right.
SOURCE : ZEE
MS Dhoni, often hailed as one of the greatest captains in cricket history, led India to numerous victories, including the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC ODI World Cup in 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Harbhajan described Dhoni as a leader who believes in letting players learn from their mistakes. “MS Dhoni will never go to a player and ask him what he needs. He lets you learn from your mistakes,” Harbhajan said on the podcast “Find a Way with Taruwar Kohli”.
Source:-BBC news
Harbhajan recounted an incident from his time with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to illustrate Dhoni’s approach. During a match, Shardul Thakur was being hit for boundaries by Kane Williamson. Harbhajan suggested that Dhoni should advise Thakur to change his strategy. Dhoni’s response was, “Paaji, if I tell him today, then he will never learn. Let him take the beating; he’ll learn by himself”. This anecdote highlights Dhoni’s belief in self-learning and resilience.
In contrast, Rohit Sharma’s captaincy style is more hands-on and empathetic. Harbhajan noted that Rohit is someone who will “put his arm around your shoulder and tell you what he expects from you”. Rohit’s approach is to give players the confidence and energy they need to perform at their best. “He will give you that confidence that yes, you can do it,” Harbhajan added
Rohit, who has been leading Mumbai Indians (MI) for over a decade and the Indian national team more recently, brings a wealth of experience to his leadership. His ability to connect with players on a personal level and provide them with the necessary support has been a hallmark of his captaincy.
Despite their different styles, both Dhoni and Rohit have been successful in their leadership roles. Dhoni’s tenure as captain saw India achieve unprecedented success, while Rohit recently led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Harbhajan emphasized that both captains have their unique strengths, which have contributed to their teams’ successes.
As Rohit Sharma prepares to lead India in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19, the cricketing world will be watching closely. This series marks India’s first red-ball series since their 4-1 victory over England in March 2024. With Bangladesh coming off a significant series win against Pakistan, the matches promise to be highly competitive.
Harbhajan Singh’s reflections on the captaincy styles of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma offer valuable insights into what makes each of them effective leaders. While Dhoni’s strategy focuses on self-reliance and learning from mistakes, Rohit’s approach is more about personal connection and confidence-building. Both styles have their merits, and both have led to significant achievements for Indian cricket
As the cricketing world continues to evolve, the leadership qualities of captains like Dhoni and Rohit will remain crucial in shaping the future of the sport. Fans and players alike can learn much from their contrasting yet complementary approaches to leadership.
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