Rohit Sharma's appointment as India's captain is quite unconventional. Historically, the BCCI has favored grooming young leaders, as seen with greats like Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli, all of whom took charge between the ages of 26 and 27.
In contrast, Rohit didn't become the permanent captain until he was nearly 34. Even though he had already proven his leadership brilliance by winning five IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians, the opportunity to lead India on a full-time basis took much longer to materialize.
Despite India being the favorites for the World Cup, Rohit isn't making any guarantees. He accepts that the trophy has eluded them in the past and prefers not to overthink things, as stress can cloud his decision-making. His primary focus is ensuring the squad is healthy and mentally prepared, emphasizing that the team's overall 'space' and mindset are the most vital components right now.
Discussing the weight of the captaincy, Rohit acknowledged that India has produced many icons who were equally worthy of leading the side. He expressed that waiting his turn was only fair, noting that leaders like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli naturally came before him.
He also pointed out other greats, such as Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, who never held the captaincy despite their contributions. He specifically mentioned Yuvraj Singh as a massive match-winner who deserved a turn at the helm. Rohit concluded by saying he is deeply grateful that the opportunity eventually came his way.