IPL 2023: His body language and energy are different in playoffs – Ravi Shastri lauds Rohit Sharma’s captaincy

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has hailed Rohit Sharma’s impressive captaincy in IPL playoffs. Mumbai Indians qualified for the second qualifier after they defeated Lucknow Super Giants by a mammoth margin of 81 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday in the Eliminator.

Rohit once again led his troops with aplomb and marshaled his men with guile. Rohit, who is the most successful IPL captain with five titles, got his bowling changes and field placements spot-on as a skipper.

Shastri feels Rohit’s body language and energy are different in playoffs as he gets the best out of the players. In fact, MI had a weak bowling line-up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer but Rohit has been able to guide his team with great success.

In fact, Mumbai Indians have a terrific record in IPL playoffs with 13 wins in 19 matches and a lot of credit goes to their skipper, Rohit Sharma, who has been leading the team since 2013.

Ravi Shastri was asked about Rohit Sharma’s importance as captain and he said on Star Sports, “Very important because they have won five titles under his captaincy. His body language and energy are different in playoffs. He will think let it go to hell what has happened in this season.”

“He might have scored runs or not but once they have reached the playoffs, they can win it. So let us bring our A-game to the table, let us go together as a team and attack and see what happens.”

On the other hand, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also showered praise on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. The Turbanator added it is important for a captain to be a player’s friend in the dressing room in order to get the best out of them.

Harbhajan said, “The captain needs to be your friend in the dressing room. The friendlier you are in the dressing room, the atmosphere will become good. You have juniors and seniors, all types of players, in the dressing room but you have to treat everyone in such a way that the team comes first.”

Akash Madhwal was the star of the show for MI as the fast bowler returned with the joint-most economical fifer (5-5) in IPL history, leveling the previous best of Anil Kumble.

Mumbai Indians will take on Gujarat Titans in the second qualifier at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday.