‘Rohit would’ve led Deccan Chargers before Mumbai had it not been for auction. Gilchrist said ‘he’s ready”: Ex-MI star

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Rohit Sharma holds the record of most titles as a captain in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, winning five of them and all for Mumbai Indians. Bought in 2011 by the franchise, Rohit was made the skipper in 2013 and hence changed the fortunes of Mumbai Indians. However, well before his transfer to Mumbai, former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist had identified his captaincy skills and former MI cricketer revealed that Rohit was in line to become the captain of Deccan Chargers. 

Rohit was roped in the Chargers in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League for $750,000, where he played under the leadership of Gilchrist for three seasons before going to Mumbai. 

Speaking to Cricbuzz on Sunday, Pragyan Ojha, who played with Rohit at Deccan and played under him at Mumbai between 2013 and 2015, revealed that Gilchrist had identified Rohit as his successor at the franchise and had included him in the think tank as well. 

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“As a batsman he was extraordinary. Then even Mumbai’s domestic team did not see him as a captain. But I distinctly remember that when Adam Gilchrist was captain, he kept Rohit in the think tank. He felt that the way Rohit batted, the clarity he showed and the ability he showed in pressure situations, he might have leadership qualities. And when his inputs started coming in, it surely felt like he could be the captain,” he said. 

The former India cricketer further revealed that had there been no auction after the third season, Rohit would have led the Deccan side well before he was named the captain of Mumbai Indians, who had as well identified him as future captaincy option. 

“Had there been no auction after the third season, then probably Rohit would have led the Deccan Chargers side before leading the Mumbai Indians team. Because Gilchrist had already said ‘Rohit is ready now’. But in auction, it’s not in anybody’s hand, and everyone knew that Mumbai Indians would go after Rohit Sharma because after Sachin Tendulkar, they felt that if anyone could lead the side then it would be Rohit,” he added. 

Unfortunately for Deccan Chargers, the franchise was dissolved in 2012, a year before Rohit was named Mumbai captain.  

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