'Everyone Will Tell You MS Dhoni Is Best Captain, But Rohit Sharma Is...': Ravichandran Ashwin

India 's cricket captain, Rohit Sharma , remains absent from the national T20I side, opting for a break from the ODI format for the series against South Africa.

Despite the anticipation among fans for his return to white-ball cricket, discussions have arisen regarding his continuity as India's skipper. While India did not secure victory in the ODI World Cup 2023 under Rohit 's leadership, the campaign for the hosts was far from disappointing.

Analysing Rohit 's role as a captain, cricketer, and person, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin provided insightful commentary on the respect the skipper commands in the dressing room.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin remarked, "If you take a look at Indian cricket, everybody will be telling you that MS Dhoni is the best captain. (But), Rohit Sharma is an outstanding person, (and) he understands every single player in the team. He knows the likes and dislikes of each of us and has a great understanding. He puts in the effort to know each player personally."

Rohit's on-field performance in the ODI World Cup spoke volumes, consistently providing India with splendid starts at the top in nearly every match, including the final. However, the Australian team emerged triumphant in the summit clash.

Addressing discussions about his potential inclusion in the final, Ashwin shared his perspective, stating, "As far as me playing the final is concerned, the team combination and all are secondary. Firstly, it's about empathy, (and) I keep stressing it a lot. It's like standing in someone else's shoes and looking at things from his/her perspective."

Expressing understanding of Rohit Sharma's decision-making, Ashwin continued, "Had I been in Rohit's shoes, I would have thought 100 times about altering the (winning) combination. It was going alright for the team, so why rest a fast bowler for three spinners? Honestly, I understood Rohit Sharma's thought process."

Ashwin also emphasised his preparedness to support the team, whether on the field or from the bench, stating, "Playing the final is big, (and) I was preparing for three days in the lead-up. At the same time, I was also prepared to cheer for the side and run in with energy drinks if I was not given the opportunity. I was mentally prepared for that as well."