Harbhajan Singh Compares Leadership Styles of Dhoni and Rohit Sharma

Mumbai, 3rd September 2024: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has highlighted the differing leadership styles of World Cup-winning captains MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Dhoni led India to three ICC titles: the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. After Dhoni’s tenure, although India came close to securing another ICC title, it was under Rohit’s captaincy that India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending a long wait for an ICC trophy.

Harbhajan, who has played under notable captains like Sourav Ganguly, Dhoni, and Rohit, notes their distinctive approaches to player management. Dhoni, he says, allows players to learn from their mistakes without immediate intervention. For instance, Harbhajan recalled a match with Chennai Super Kings where Dhoni did not step in to guide Shardul Thakur when he was being hit for boundaries by Kane Williamson. Instead, Dhoni believed that Thakur would learn better through the experience of getting hit.

In contrast, Harbhajan describes Rohit as a more hands-on leader who engages with players individually, offering them encouragement and clarity on expectations. Rohit’s approach includes providing personal support and motivation, which has proven effective during his long stint with the Mumbai Indians and his time as captain of the Indian team.

Harbhajan also emphasized that Test cricket offers deeper insights into leadership compared to limited-overs formats. He noted that Test captains must manage the game’s pace and devise winning strategies, citing Steve Waugh as a prime example of an excellent Test captain. Although Shane Warne did not captain Australia, his cricketing acumen was notable, with a style reminiscent of Rohit’s approach.

Taruwar Kohli, who played under Warne’s captaincy, agreed, noting Warne’s method of engaging with players during warm-ups, similar to Rohit’s style. Harbhajan also credited Sourav Ganguly for his ability to empower players by allowing them the freedom to express themselves, which he believes Dhoni and Rohit continued.

According to Harbhajan, a new captain should learn from these leadership styles to build on the legacy established by his predecessors.