Former Australia wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin went all diplomatic when he was asked to comment on whether the Indian team’s performance was better under Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma. Haddin pointed out the qualities of both of the modern-day greats who have been a great servant of the national team since they first burst onto the scene.
Both Rohit and Virat have transformed the Indian team but none could quench the thirst of an ICC trophy since 2013.
Brad Haddin recently appeared in a podcast where his discussion with the host shifted to the comparison between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. There he claimed that both during their respective timelines have done well for the betterment of the team. The Indian teammates will be in action in the upcoming days when the 2024 Indian Premier League edition begins on March 22nd.
Virat Kohli will be in action in the opening match between RCB and CSK whereas Rohit, who will not be captaining Mumbai Indians for the first time since 2013, will be in action on March 24th against Gujarat Titans.
Virat Kohli brought a wave of fitness, athleticism, and aggression
Brad Haddin started (his answer) by saying that it was a very good question before first shedding light upon the captaincy reign of Virat Kohli. Haddin said that it was Kohli who changed the Indian team’s way of preparation, especially in Test cricket. It was Kohli who kept his players to high standards always led by example and never threw his players under the bus.
The former Aussie keeper also highlighted Virat Kohli’s keenness towards bringing a lethal mentality and bringing in the wave of supreme fitness as well as athleticism. Haddin noticed that players under his regime looked more confident and energetic. Lastly, he gave a special mention to the fact that Kohli instilled a fearless mindset within the team, specifically during tours of England and Australia.
“That’s a damn good question. Now how I’m going to answer that I thought Virat changed the way India prepared for their cricket. They became really ready. He held his playgroup to a high standard and he’s one of those captains who said I’m not going to get you to do anything that I’m not doing myself.” Haddin said via LiSTNER podcast.
“You’ve seen the athleticism in the Indian cricket team change and their mentality towards it. They were feeling energetic – their fitness and they dived when Virat Kohli took over.” – Haddin added.
Haddin hails Rohit Sharma for his tactical thinking
After his comments on Virat Kohli, Brad Haddin went on to highlight the differentiator in Rohit Sharma is the way he keeps his team glued together and his immaculate tactical thinking on the field. Haddin had special mention about his tactical thinking, which is a key reason why the Men in Blue experienced such a run in the Cricket World Cup on home soil last year.
“But on the other hand, Rohit Sharma is as good a captain tactically that you’ll see. He’s had a lot of success in the IPL. He’s captained there since Ricky Ponting left. And that would have been over 10 years. The players play for him and tactically he’s as good as you’ll get in India and non-continent conditions. That’s the best I can answer that.” – Haddin concluded.
