Rohit Sharma: Yuvraj Singh’s Support in 2011 was Pivotal for My Comeback
India’s cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, credits cricket legend Yuvraj Singh for guiding him through one of his career’s most challenging phases: the 2011 World Cup omission. That year, while the Indian squad celebrated its memorable World Cup victory under MS Dhoni’s leadership, boasting stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and a budding Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma was left out, making it a period of introspection for the Mumbai-based batsman.
However, the silver lining during this tough period came in the form of support from Yuvraj Singh, one of the stars of the 2011 World Cup. Sharma recalled, “During those low moments, I distinctly remember Yuvraj pulling me aside, inviting me for dinner, and offering me some much-needed perspective.” He added, “Yuvraj told me about the pain of being sidelined and stressed the promising years ahead of me. He advised me to use this period constructively, honing my game and skills, and assured me that I’d represent India in the World Cup again.”
Sharma not only heeded Yuvraj’s advice but went on to dominate the 2019 World Cup, becoming the tournament’s top scorer. The Hitman amassed a staggering 648 runs, including five centuries against top teams, breaking Kumar Sangakkara’s record of most centuries in a single World Cup.
Rohit reflected on his journey, saying, “I revisited my strategy, intensified my training, and made a robust comeback post the 2011 World Cup. Since I’ve been through that emotional whirlwind, I genuinely know the feeling. Nobody can tell me it’s ‘easier said than done’.” Currently, Sharma is all geared up to captain the Indian squad in the 2023 World Cup.