Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has praised the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for having mutual respect for each other amid the ODI series against the West Indies. Jaffer recalled that the Indian team had a similar environment when he was part of the team with veteran players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag respecting each other.
Kohli and Rohit have always spoken highly of each other and have been the consistent performers for the team over the years.
Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel, “They have played a lot of cricket together. There is a bit of professional rivalry, but eventually you respect each other. When I was playing, there were Sachin, Rahul, Sourav, Laxman, and Sehwag. They were all greats, but that mutual respect was evident. Virat and Rohit are modern greats, and they have a lot of respect for each other. The new generation should learn this from them.”
While Kohli scored a stunning knock of 139 runs off just 88 balls in the opening ODI, Rohit smashed an impressive innings of 101 runs off just 75 balls in the second game against the West Indies.
Jaffer said Rohit Sharma got the best out of himself when he started opening the innings under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
Jaffer concluded, “Rohit Sharma became Rohit Sharma when he started to open. We saw a different side of Rohit Sharma when he got a chance to open at the 2013 Champions Trophy. He had the talent and potential, but he has never looked back after 2013. Batting in the top-order is the best place in ODIs, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.”
The third ODI between India and the West Indies will be played at New Chandigarh on Saturday.
