Rohit Sharma may have retired from T20Is and Tests but the legacy he left behind still shapes the way India's younger cricketers talk about him.
Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, Rinku Singh revisited a defining moment with the former captain - their record-breaking 190-run stand against Afghanistan in 2024 that rescued India from a collapse.
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Beyond his batting, Rinku also opened up on what it was like to play under Rohit's captaincy - describing the balance between his calm exterior and flashes of aggression on the field.
Rinku Singh recalls record partnership with Rohit Sharma
In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Rinku said that the partnership with Rohit in Bengaluru felt almost effortless. Both batters trusted their instincts and played their natural games without much mid-pitch talk.
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Rinku recalled how Rohit handled high pace with ease - pulling 145-150 kmph deliveries with trademark authority. He described the innings as an example of Rohit's composure and ability to stay in control even under pressure.
Rohit Sharma's captaincy style revealed by Rinku Singh
Rinku also shed light on the other side of Rohit - his expectations as captain. According to him, Rohit usually remained calm but when players lost focus, he didn't hesitate to let his anger show.
"Everyone knows about his captaincy and how he can get angry at times. He is a bit aggressive and always demands 100% on the field. We are expected to stay fully focused on the game and keep our eyes on the captain. Whenever I lead a side, I follow the same approach: making sure everyone pays attention to the keeper and the captain. Sometimes, because of the crowd and the noise, we lose focus, and that's when we feel the heat from him," Rinku said.
RINKU SINGH TALKING ABOUT THE GREATNESS OF ROHIT SHARMA AND EXPERIENCE PLAYING WITH HIM.🗣️- pic.twitter.com/07Ze93oIri
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) September 10, 2025
Before stepping away from the format, Rohit played 159 T20Is for India - scoring 4231 runs at an average of 32.05. The highlight of his T20 career was in 2024 when he led India to the ICC T20 World Cup title - a fitting capstone for a player who shaped the team's modern white-ball identity.
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