Rahul Chahar can’t forget those special times when Rohit Sharma stood by him. The leggie recently opened up in a podcast about his ex-captain’s unique leadership path. During his time with the Mumbai Indians, Chahar saw firsthand how Rohit handled pressure differently. The skipper never shouted or created drama when things got tough.
Instead, Rohit would quietly walk over to struggling players during matches. His calm presence made everyone around him feel more relaxed somehow. Chahar particularly remembers how Rohit’s shoulder pat became a trademark gesture. That simple touch meant everything to young players fighting their nerves.
“If he ever feels that I’m under pressure, like when a six is hit off my bowling, he comes to me, puts his hand on my shoulder, and says something random not even about cricket just to make me relax, like ‘chill, it’s fine,’” Chahar said.
What struck Chahar most was Rohit’s timing with these interventions perfectly.
That Semi-Final Against Delhi Changed Everything
One semi-final match against Delhi still gives Chahar goosebumps when he thinks back. His bowling figures looked terrible, and self-doubt crept into his mind quickly. The crowd noise felt overwhelming, and wickets weren’t coming his way.
“I still remember once, against Delhi in a semifinal match, I was hit for 30 runs in two overs. After the game, he came to me and said, ‘Come on, you lead the team.’ That’s his way of giving confidence to a player—something I will never forget,” Chahar Said.
Those words transformed Chahar’s entire mindset within seconds. His captain wasn’t asking him to bowl better or think smarter. Rohit was telling him to take ownership of the situation completely.
“The amount of confidence Rohit Sharma gives to a bowler is something very important. I think that’s what makes a true leader having trust in his players,” he added.
New Captain, Same Rohit Influence
Hardik Pandya now leads the Mumbai Indians, but Rohit’s presence remains strong. Chahar understands cricket moves forward, and captaincy changes happen naturally in franchises. He holds no grudges about this transition at all.
Young MI players still seek Rohit’s advice during training sessions regularly. His corner of the dressing room stays busy with conversations. Experience like his doesn’t disappear just because someone else holds leadership duties.
