As Rohit Sharma prepares to lead India in the World Cup final on Sunday, he carries the hopes of a billion fans, marking the zenith of a journey that began in poverty but has now led to a personal fortune of approximately $25 million and the high-stakes captaincy of the national cricket team.
The dynamic 36-year-old opener, affectionately known as the "Hitman" for his ability to rack up substantial scores quickly, has been a standout performer in the tournament, accumulating 550 runs, second only to teammate Virat Kohli's 711.
Ahead of the final against Australia, with a massive audience of around 130,000 fans, Rohit's selfless approach with the bat has garnered praise, setting the stage for a near-perfect campaign for two-time World Cup champions India.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar commended Rohit's impact, highlighting his role in setting the tone for the team's batting. Gavaskar noted Rohit's sacrifice of his wicket to provide attacking starts and create opportunities for players like Kohli and the middle-order batsmen. "He is taking the attack to the opposition in the first 10 overs, demoralising the opposition attack at the start. As a leader, he has shown the template," said Gavaskar.
In the semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai, Rohit showcased his prowess by smashing 47 off 29 balls, a performance lauded by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who called him a "genuine hero" and credited him with changing the team's culture.
Rohit assumed the captaincy of the white-ball team in 2021 and became the all-format leader a year later, aiming to secure a global title for the cricket-crazed nation. Following M.S. Dhoni's leadership that led India to their last World Cup victory in 2011, Kohli faced criticism for his inability to secure another title. In contrast, Rohit, with five Indian Premier League titles under his captaincy belt, emerged as the chosen one to lead the charge.
From humble beginnings, studying on a scholarship due to financial constraints, Rohit transformed into India's limited-overs star. He holds the unique distinction of being the only batsman to score three double-centuries in one-day internationals. Despite occasional criticism for his visible paunch compared to Kohli's chiselled physique, Rohit has amassed over 10,662 runs at an average of over 49 in 261 ODIs since his debut in 2007.
As Rohit stands on the precipice of cricket's biggest prize, his boyhood cricket coach, Dinesh Lad, believes that if he lifts the World Cup in Ahmedabad, he will be the "richest person in the world." Rohit, a player who was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup triumph under Dhoni, now has the chance to lead his team to another historic victory and silence his critics with his two strengths: batting and leadership.
