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'Rohit Is Very Different From Dhoni': Harbhajan Points Out Key Difference Between Their Captaincies

India's Turbanator, Harbhajan SinghIndia's Turbanator, Harbhajan Singh

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has spoken about the varied captaincy styles of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, pinning how both of them lead their troops. Speaking on the podcast "Find a Way with Taruwar Kohli," Harbhajan said, "Dhoni and Rohit are complete different leaders."

Harbhajan explained that concerning the leadership style of Dhoni, he remembered an incident during his days with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. 

During a game, at short fine leg while fielding, Harbhajan saw Shardul Thakur being belted for boundaries by Kane Williamson. He suggested to Dhoni that Thakur needs to bowl a different length. Dhoni says to him, "Paji, if I tell him now, he will never learn. Let him learn by himself." That way, explained Harbhajan, the players learned by their experiences, not intervention.

Harbhajan, on the contrary, described Rohit Sharma's leadership to be very hands-on.

"Rohit is very different. He will go and talk to each player. He is someone who will put his arm around your shoulder and tell you what he wants from you. He will give you that confidence that yes you can do it," said Harbhajan.

"The biggest change that has come in Rohit is when he started captaining in Test cricket. As a Test captain, you learn a lot. Test cricket needs precise tactics and implementation, which makes you a better leader. Leading in Test matches improves your captaincy in T20s and ODIs." 


Harbhajan Singh Remembers Playing Under Ganguly's Leadership

Harbhajan also praised Sourav Ganguly for his leadership and said that players had the freedom to express themselves, which allowed him to extract their best performances.

“As a player you want better support from your captain. It’s all about man management. Sourav Ganguly was probably the best in that. He gave us that freedom that go and enjoy.

“We all were different people. I am different than Rahul Dravid. Zaheer Khan is different to me. Ashish Nehra is different. He let everyone be themselves without trying to change their personalities. That’s how he got the best out from all of us. MS Dhoni carried forward that legacy from Sourav and then Rohit took it forward. I hope in the future whoever will become Team India’s captain he will do the same,” he said.